Kenyan farmers may be wondering if onion farming is a profitable venture. Onions are a popular crop in Kenya, and there is potential for high yields and returns on investment. However, there are some factors that a farmer must consider before getting into onion farming.
Onions can be profitable depending on proper market identification, proper planning for labour, especially during transplanting and weeding, good post-harvest handling procedures, and when you get your produce to the market.
Cost of Onion Farming
The cost of onion farming in Kenya depends on the type of onion farmers choose to invest in because some onion types are more costly than others. The cost of onion farming is between Ksh. 100,000 and Ksh. 200,000 for one acre of land.
For instance, a one-acre piece of land requires 100 kilos of onion seeds, and each kilo costs Ksh. 500. The total cost of buying onion seeds will be Ksh. 50,000. Also, you will need to buy fertilizer. 25kg bags each cost almost Ksh. 500, pesticides require approximately Ksh. 1,000 and miscellaneous like labour, transport and others cost almost Ksh. 50,000.
How Much Is a Sack of Onions in Kenya?
The price of onions is an average of Ksh. 107 for each kilo of onion, and the price of a sack depends on weight and place.
One sack of onions in Kenya is sold at different prices depending on the place since each place sells them at different prices per kilo. For instance, a bag of 13kg ranges from Ksh. 750 to Ksh. 1050 in different places in Kenya.
Which is the Best Onion Variety in Kenya?
The best onion types are bulbs and spring onions. This is because bulb onions take 3 to 4 months to mature, have a long shelf life, and taste sweet, while spring onions are easy to plant, and you can plant them in the kitchen garden.
Onion Varieties in Kenya
There are two main varieties in Kenya: local varieties and hybrid varieties. The varieties are categorized according to their shape, maturity period, and skin color.
The following three are some of the local varieties of onions in Kenya:
1. Red Creole
It is a thick and flat-shaped medium-sized onion that matures after 150 days of transplanting. It does well in low-attitude areas with full sun and minimal rain. It has a shelf life of up to three months and potential yields of 15 to 28 per acre. It is one of the onion varieties commonly used by Kenyans.
2. Texas Grano
It is an open-pollinated onion variety with large, white, golden-scaled bulbs with excellent tasting flavour. It matures in 120 days after transplanting.
3. Bombay Red
This variety is open-pollinated with green prostate leaves and small bulbs with a deep purple-red colour. It matures in between 120 and 150 days and gives yields of 16 tonnes an acre.
Hybrid Variety
The hybrid variety in Kenya can be grown anywhere and is resistant to perinatal pests and diseases. The following are eight hybrid varieties commonly found in Kenya:
1. Jambari F1
It is a red variety that matures after 90 days of transplanting. It has a high yield, producing big bulbs that are preferred by hotels and institutions.
2. Neptune F1
It is a hybrid onion variety that is tolerant to drought and resistant to diseases, and it matures early. It has a long shelf life, is small in size, and has a good taste, which is common in the marketplace.
3. Red Coach F1
This one has a good flavour with low-fat content and is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. It is good for sliced vegetable salads.
4. Red Nice F1
It is a small deep-red bulb hybrid variety with excellent curing and storage.
5. Red Passion F1
It is a medium-sized deep red bulb onion that matures 90 days after transplanting and has a long shelf life of up to 5 months, hence more preferred in the market.
6. Red Pinoy F1
It has an early maturity of 90 days with small bulbs and has potential yields with a shelf life of up to six months at room temperature. It is resistant to common diseases like downy mildew.
7. Red Star F1
It is a small-sized deep red bulb suited to adverse climate conditions with excellent curing and storage. It produces a high yield of 25 tonnes per acre and matures 90 days after transplanting.
8. Tropicana F1
It is a hybrid variety that is a large red, thick flat-bulb with a pungent taste and matures for 90 days. It has a yield of 25 tonnes per acre.
Onion Farming in Kenya
How Many Kgs of Onions Can an Acre Produce?
One acre of land produces between 16,000 and 20,000 kilos of onions, depending on climate conditions, type of soil, and onion variety.
What Areas are Good for Onions in Kenya?
Onion farming in Kenya is done in almost every part of the country because onions are a popular ingredient in everyday cooking. Onion farmers in Kenya are mostly from Makueni, Kieni, Meru, Karatina, Naivasha, Kajiando, Emali, and Oloitoktok.
When is the Best Time to Plant Onions?
Onions are grown on a small and large scale for commercial purposes and to generate revenue. They are planted in cold, wet conditions on well-drained, fertile soil and harvested in dry, hot weather. The best time to practice onion farming is during short rains, so that harvesting occurs in either January or February, when onions are scarce.
Onion seeds are planted on seedbeds before being transplanted to the main piece of land. During the planting of onions, fertilizers are applied when planting seeds and after transplanting.
Spring and red bulb onions are the most commonly grown onions in Kenya. Kenya Seed Company sells onion seeds for Ksh. 70 per kilo.
How Long Does it take for Onions to Mature
Onions mature depending on the type of onion, soil type and climate conditions. Bulb onion takes three to five months to mature while spring takes two to four months. Onion yields in one acre of land are 20 to 25 tonnes depending on variety and if the crops were properly managed while in the field.
In Kenya, onions are sold in the market and the cost of a kilo of onions ranges from Ksh. 40 to Ksh. 60 and can be high when there is a shortage in the market.
