Pumpkin farming is among the crops grown in Kenya for consumption and sale. Pumpkins are used as a breakfast snack, cooked with other ingredients, and consumed with any meal. In Kenya, there are different places that practice pumpkin farming on large-scale or small-scale farms. This article explains pumpkin farming in Othaya.
In Othaya, pumpkins are planted from seed, and the common varieties are giant pumpkin varieties like the white giant, Israel giant, Egyptian giant, squash, and Dola variety.
The land should be prepared for planting by ploughing to a fine tilth to allow proper root penetration. The land should be well-drained, fertile, and able to receive moderate sunshine.
Pumpkin farming in this area is done by planting pumpkin seeds at a depth of two inches and a spacing of 2 meters by 3 meters due to the vegetative nature of pumpkins. During planting, organic fertilizer is used to boost the size of a pumpkin.
Harvesting and Marketing
Pumpkin harvesting in Othaya is done by plucking the fruit from the vine and leaving the stalk to enhance the shelf life of the fruit. It is done 90 to 120 days after planting, depending on the variety; one fruit can weigh between 10 and 40 kg.
The price of a pumpkin goes up to Kshs 120 per giant pumpkin, while an average pumpkin is Kshs 70.
Butternut Farming In Kenya
Butternut is a warm-season, annual plant that requires a temperature of about 18 to 24 degrees Celsius. Butternut is planted directly from seed onto the prepared farm. In Kenya, butternut farming should be done on deep, fertile, and well-drained soil. The area should receive moderate sunshine and adequate rain.
Kenya grows many different kinds of butternut, such as Waltham, Atlas F1, Early Butternut F1, Jupiter hybrid, and Autumn Glow. Therefore, before you start farming, choose the best varieties based on market demand.
Land Preparation and Planting
You prepare the land by ploughing and harrowing it to ensure it is level, the hardpan is broken, and the soil has a fine tilth. Also, incorporate farmyard manure on a farm in the preparation process.
Dig holes 2 cm deep, arrange rows 90 cm apart, and leave 45 cm between plants. Mix organic manure or DAP fertilizer with the soil. Put one seed per hole, and then cover lightly with soil. After 7 to 10 days, germination will start and leaves will appear.
After planting the butternut plants, you should water them every evening in case there is scarce rainfall.
Farm Management Practices
Farm management practices like weeding, irrigation, fertilizer application, and pest and disease control are carried out to get good yields.
When farming butternut, there are three main things farmers should do to help the plant grow and develop.
1. Weeding
Weeding is done every 14 to 60 days using a hand hoe to help control competition for nutrients, water, space, and sunlight between plants and weeds. You can also remove weeds using a hand hoe to avoid uprooting the butternut plant.
2. Use of Fertilizer
It is advisable to use a fertilizer like DAP when planting, CAN during top dressing, and foliar fertilizer when the plants start flowering in order to get good produce.
3. Pest and Disease Control
You can control pests and diseases affecting butternuts like cutworms, squash bugs, aphids, powder mildew, and anthracnose. This is done by using pesticides to spray onto butternut plants 7 days after germination to kill cutworms that cut roots. During the fruiting stage, you remove and isolate fruits with black rots caused by fungal infection.
In the cold season, powder mildew may attack the leaves; therefore, you can use plant-based, neem, and garlic extract to control it.
Harvesting of Butternut
Butternuts are ready to be harvested 75 to 150 days after germination, depending on the variety. A ripe butternut fruit turns from green to yellow; the skin should be tough and not scratch easily. Harvesting is done by cutting the mature butternut stem a few centimeters from the fruit.
After harvesting, the butternut fruits are washed and stored in a cool, dry place until ready for the market.
