As the demand for garlic in Kenya increases, farmers are looking to garlic as a profitable way to earn an income. But is garlic lucrative for farmers? This blog post takes a closer look at how profitable garlic is in Kenya.
Garlic farming in Kenya is one of the most profitable agribusinesses since it has high demand in the market. Garlic is considered one of the most beneficial vegetables for daily consumption, health, and medical purposes. It is also preferred by many consumers as the best ingredient in minor and significant recipes.
When garlic is in high demand, the price rises to more than Ksh. 300 per kilo. In addition, garlic prices are unlikely to fall below Ksh. 150 per kilo in either season. An acre of land can produce between 4,000 and 5,000 kg of garlic with good agricultural practices.
Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic is profitable because it is used for medical purposes for the following reasons:
- It prevents colds and flu as one eats one clove of garlic that boosts the immune system, hence strengthening the natural defences of the body.
- It is considered a significant antioxidant with components like disulphide that aid in reducing the size of the tumour and slowing its growth.
- It assists the body in fighting various bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.
- It helps in the prevention of heart conditions as well as the regulation of hypertension.
How Much is 1 kg of Garlic in Kenya?
The price of garlic in Kenya varies with the season. In the months of May, June, July, August, and September, when the demand is at its peak, the price of a kilo of garlic is high, around Ksh. 300 to Ksh. 400, and when the demand is stable from December to January, the price declines from Ksh. 150 to Ksh. 200.
The price of a kilo of garlic is between Ksh. 150 and Ksh. 300 depending on the season of the year.
Is Garlic Marketable in Kenya?
Garlic is marketable in Kenya because people use garlic as an ingredient in special cooking. It has both regional and international demand. Due to its economic value, it is also used for health and medicinal purposes.
In Kenya, garlic is sold locally in the market and supermarkets in both urban and rural areas. It is also sold in other countries.
Garlic Farming in Kenya
Garlic onion farming in Kenya is done well in humid areas with low sunshine, moderate rain, and low temperatures with no strong winds. Garlic farming requires black fertile and well-drained light soil with a PH of 5.5 to 6.8.
The land is prepared before transplanting, whereby the soil should be ploughed slightly and some hallowing be done to facilitate the planting of seedlings.
Before planting the garlic onions, they are grown in the nursery bed and then transplanted into the main field after the seedlings have reached 6 to 14 inches. The seedlings are sown in rows with a distance of 12 inches between rows and 3 to 4 inches from one seedling to another in the nursery.
When transplanting seedlings in the field, it is recommended to plant at a depth of about 2.5 inches. The distance between rows should be 8 inches and 6 inches from one seedling to another. During planting, use cow dung fertilizer for the best results.
Areas in Which Garlic Does Well
In Kenya, garlic does well in Meru, Nakuru, and Narok. It does well in any area consistent with the areas above, but only for small-scale production.
Garlic onions are harvested after 4 to 6 months, depending on the weather and the type of seeds used.
Garlic is well-known due to the following reasons:
- Plenty of fatty acids
- Rich in proteins
- Rich in protein but few fatty acids
