Garlic from Kieni area, he says, is preferred by most local consumers for its high quality compared to those imported, which have a shorter shelf-life. Garlic oil. Repeat the process until all seeds have planted 6 inches apart from each other. He ferries the produce to Nairobi himself but some clients buy the onions in large scale from the farm. Garlic requires less amount of water, and when the seeds cover in mulch, no watering is needed. 800,000 per acre, How duo makes Sh. The best fertilizer is 5-5-5 or 10-10-10 which specify the amount of Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium respectively in that specific fertilizer. Here is a guide for starting a profitable garlic farming business. Thereafter, the bio-stimulant is mixed with water and the onions immersed in the solution for 12 hours. “I receive countless phone calls daily on my customer service desk from various supermarkets and wholesale buyers. Mushroom farming is a lucrative business to start with 50K in Kenya. Loose soils are good for potato farming business because they offer the least resi… To enhance his output and meet the demand, Mr Githaiga now plans to expand his acreage to 32 acres and employ more workers. Hardneck has varieties such as Roja and German Extra Hearty. Additionally, you can remove the weeds by hand hoeing, mulching, cultivation or through the use of herbicides. READ ALSO: Large scale rabbit farming in Kenya, To conclude, all the processes involved in garlic farming in Kenya are sensitive and each garlic grower must learn to spot the root of the problems encountered in their venture and learn how to handle each of the difficulties. Garlic farming agribusiness is quite lucrative. Keep them there for three to four weeks after which its shoots and roots will have dried down. This mulch needs removal on the first day of spring when the temperatures are 55 or 6o degrees F as this is around when the garlic seeds will start to sprout. Garlic planting needs a ground with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. Cut down the tops about one inch above the main bulb and roots followed by removal of outer skin without removing exposing the cloves. Therefore, you do not need previous experience with growing garlic to get started. Nevertheless, if there are reasonable rains in every 10 to 14days, then no watering is required. When the demand is stable from December to January, the prices decline to around Sh 150 to 200. Industry Overview. While waiting to sell your product, you will need to store the garlic in ideal storage environs depending on whether you will use them as table stock or planting stock. For pest prevention and control, use copper oxychloride as well as other soil fumigants to minimize and eliminate nematodes in the field. Garlic Farming in Kenya. Mulching is allowed. Guide to Garlic Farming Have you ever thought of starting your own agricultural venture? Commercial growers need a business plan, agricultural land, equipment and labor. There are several challenges faced by garlic farmers in Kenya; the biggest is the high cost of farm inputs such as fungicides, pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers to get rid of pests and diseases like worms, nematodes, leaf minors, rust, and thrips. The optimum soil pH for garlic is between 6 and 7. Garlic requires adequate skills, training and good research to be successful. After the cleaning, salt is sprinkled on the bulbs to stop formation of moisture on bruised surfaces of the onions. As such, it has both local and international demand. As at now they need 150,000 kilos of garlic yet I can only provide 50,000 kilos,” Mr Githaiga notes adding that local farmers need to embrace cultivation of the bulbs to help close the yawning gap. After planting your garlic seeds, you need to safeguard them from harsh conditions using a thick layer of mulch. Softneck has varieties like Creole, California Early, and California Late. Garlic farming performs well in medium to high attitudes of 500- 200M. Most manufacturers recommend applying the fertilizer at a rate of ¾ per 100 square feet. The farmer has employed 10 people to help him in the farm work which include making of the seedlings. In case the season has little rainfall, one can water the garlic after a couple of weeks. You can watch the YouTube video below that explains how to do smart garlic farming in Kenya, Leave your email to receive our newsletter, Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Kenya, Drop your mail and be the first to get fresh news, Dania farming in Kenya: How to grow coriander and profit per acre, Business Ideas in Kenya - Top Farming Opportunities to Try Out, African Moringa Benefits for Men and Women, Spinach Farming in Kenya: Essential Tips for the Beginner. Ensure the next row of seeds is 2 feet or 60cm apart from the first one. Among the field management practices involved in Farming garlic in Kenya, weed management is the most common as they have to be removed to prevent competition of nutrients, light, and water. Garlic possesses aphrodisiac properties; hence can be used in treating impotence. “From my research I realised there was a huge demand for the onion variety. Due to lack of sufficient knowledge on how to grow garlic in Kenya, not many farmers are involved in the venture. He now trains farmers from nearby counties of Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga and Laikipia on the new venture. If you are a first-time grower, this brief plan is designed for you. Garlic growing business is prominent these days. Garlic farming in Kenya is a profitable venture when done correctly. Furthermore, finding good quality seeds is not as easy, and when you find such seed cloves, they are quite expensive. Look no further; this article is for you as we will examine how to plant garlic successfully. To ensure optimum yield, mix the soil with organic manure before plowing as this will facilitate improved bulb formation. 4.8 million from 13 acres. Garlic popularly known as ‘Kitunguu Saumu’ belonging to the onion family is a high worth horticultural plant owing to its … Find out what garlic varieties people are looking for. Additionally, garlic requires high temperatures of 30ºC to aid in proper bulb development. Even if you compensate for the cost of inputs like fungicides, fertilizers, and pesticides you will still have high returns on your investments, hence, undoubtedly garlic onion farming in Kenya will have you smiling all the way to the bank. A single garlic can yield up to eight plants, usually from its cloves. We introduced the business … 10 Smallholder Horticultural Production and Business Trainer’s Manual Programme Component Rural Agriculture Revitalization Project: Commercialising Smallholder Farming (RARP CSF) Value Chain Development- Horticulture Crops Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Spices and Tea Objectives Development of sustainable contract farming … Here is a sample business plan for starting a herbal farm. Potatoes can be grown in a variety of soil types, however alkaline soils and saline soils are not a good fit for potato farming. When selecting the best seed cloves, go for the largest as they will yield a better crop as compared to small ones. Sow single garlic with its root down, and its point is facing up the hole. On the other end, planting stock needs storage at room temperature with a 60-70% relative humidity. The next section covers the Business Profile and Summary in greater detail. However, the idea of venturing into farming kept nagging his mind. He also hires about 13 other people when there is too much work on the farm. Once planted, they take four months to mature, and are watered once every week, making it a viable agribusiness in semi-arid regions. preferred by those who eat their garlic raw for health reasons. The crop has a good and growing market in Kenya… Furthermore, you need to ensure that the soil is well prepared with loose and airy depths of up to 6- 8 inches and needs to be dry and without any rocks and plants debris. Garlic growing is done using seed cloves; hence, as an aspiring garlic grower, you must procure certified garlic seeds that have fully matured cloves and are free from any diseases. Moreover, some of the farmers growing garlic often end up producing a poor quality of the crop that is unmarketable. My farm has sufficient water and all soil types the temperatures range from 12 to 36 degree during winter and summer. 400. “Once the solution is ready, we immerse 150 kilos of cloves in 100-litre solution of water and hormones. Light watering that is one inch deep is adequate. You only need to select the best cloves and separate them with a spacing of 30cm between the rows and 15 cm or 6 inches from each plant. Start your own garlic business. Starting your own garlic growing business can be a profitable and fun way to make a solid income in a small space, as the price of many garlic varieties, such as elephant garlic and the hard neck garlic such as Rocambole and Porcelain, is now over $15 a pound. Business … It is worth noting that excess rains and humidity is bad for garlic’s vegetative growth as well as bulb formation and as such the crop will perform well in areas with low rainfall possibly substituted with irrigation during the initial phase when water requirement is utmost. In fact most of the garlic onions that were available in our markets were imported from China,” he says. Garlic plant propagation requires deeply cultivated beds with plenty of compost manure added to enrich the soil and enhance drainage. Good potato production starts with good land selection. First, we love growing it. Garlic can be grown either on small scale or large-scale basis. Congratulations! Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. The soil should be fertile, rich in organic matter, well-drained, and capable of holding adequate moisture during the growing … After harvesting, he keeps 20 percent of the produce for seed propagation for the next season and for sale to farmers. One acre of land will produce around 4,000 t 5,000 kilograms of the crop. How I Secured My Chance at Havard University, Every household in Kenya to pay NHIF Sh. Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) is not a true garlic … Assuming you harvest 4,000 kilos and sell them at Sh 350 per kilo when in peak season you will make a gross income of 4000 X 350= 1,400,000 – 39,000= 1,361,000. Garlic herb is a relative of bulb onions. I planted 25 kilos of the onions and harvested 800 kilos. cost effective business plans for start-up entrepreneurs. While temperature and day length influence bulb formation, this is to a lesser extent than demonstrated by onions. Onions are cultivated by vegetable farmers, and vegetable farmers are known to grow a wide variety of vegetables … Garlic should never be harvested too early or late as it will interfere with the quality of the produce. “I charge Sh3,000 for the training and provide them with reading and reference manuals,” he says, adding that he trains 100 farmers every month. By doing so, the seeds will insulate protecting them from severe winter conditions. Garlic popularly known as ‘Kitunguu Saumu’ belonging to the onion family is a high worth horticultural plant owing to its attractive returns and high demand in the Kenyan market. For an in-depth analysis of the onion farming business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive bulb onion farming business plan. Begin on a Small-Scale; Before deciding to start an herb farm business … It is a variety that produces bigger and fewer cloves on each head. Separate the cloves, ensuring the papery material is intact. Garlic can be grown in different types of soil. The culmination of the plan is R1-million, after tax, in your pocket after the 5th year, in addition to revenue received from sales in the interim and enough garlic seed to replant and continue … Characterized by a large head and huge cloves. 300 and KSh. Food Seasoning. Water the rows slightly and stop when the soil surface is slightly damp to avoid over-watering. This feature was first published by the Business Daily: Moses Karimi Githaiga has been farming garlic for about six years now in Kiawara, a hamlet in Kieni Sub County, about 35 kilometres from Nyeri town. By visiting this site you have already taken the first step to starting your own agricultural venture. Things to Consider. 38 billion operation debt. Home » AGRIBUSINESS » Crops » How I made Sh. So plan on a growing … Assuming its small-scale in one piece of an acre, you will require 100 kilograms of garlic seeds which cost roughly Sh 390 per kilo. Garlic Farming in Kenya. Dig trenches one inch deep and two inches wide keeping them 6 inches apart and plant individual cloves at the same spacing. Other … Garlic farming in Kenya is a profitable venture when done correctly. Garlic farming profit per acre in Kenya. After the removal of mulch and with moderate temperatures in spring, apply a light all-purpose fertilizer every 30 to 40 days. Want to profit from this venture as well? The farmer says the demand for garlic in Kenya keeps expanding yet the supply is sow putting lots of strain on his production. Moreover, it possesses a subtle flavor with a mild odor as compared to the first two types of garlic. SGR faces collapse over Sh. With that in mind, let’s do some quick calculations. The contingent is left overnight inside the solution at temperatures between 12 to 16 degrees Celsius,” he explained, adding they are then transferred to a special ventilated structure where they are stored for one month after which they can now be planted directly. Garlic farm Kenya will supply you offers: A detailed Garlic farming … Things to consider before starting the farm are type of garlic… Is garlic a profitable crop? 4.8 million from garlic farming in Kenya in one season, What I learnt after leaving my KCB job to farm in Kirinyaga, Low cost agribusiness ideas that will make you rich, Hope as farmers inch closer to accessing fall armyworm-tolerant maize hybrids, Best onion varieties in Kenya that will give you Sh. This is the question that feature will seek to answer by sharing a garlic farmer’s journey to success. Most conditions suitable for onion production also apply to garlic … There is an increased garlic demand driving more people into garlic cultivation. One kilo of seed cloves goes for KSh. Garlic Farming Information Guide The following write-up details about Garlic Farming Techniques, Tips, and Ideas. please advise me when it should be planted and could give me a comprehensive guide from A-Z on garlic farming … 3) Fish farming… We only grow a… Proper research is all that you need to succeed in garlic farming. Comprehensive onion farming guide .PDF Admin November 28, 2015 Comprehensive onion farming guide .PDF 2015-11-28T11:43:18+00:00 The information contained on this booklet is … Growing of garlic is not as hard. Picked. Because of this, approximately 80% of the crop found in the Kenyan market comes from China. The business profile and summary is a condensed version of the business plan. The land should also have the right soil structure. 4.8 million from garlic farming in Kenya in one season. For this reason, ideal temperatures for growing garlic range between 12-24ºC. 6,000, Raila acquires four brand new choppers from France, 7 personal changes that made me a millionaire by age 35, King Kaka’s wealth: How I built my empire when all I had was Sh. From there the onion bulbs are cleaned using organic soap to wash away the disinfectant and any dirt. Softneck is the most popular and characterizes by a white, paper-like skin with a fairly strong taste and pungent smell. Garlic farming is a lucrative venture with the demand for the crop peaking in the months between May, June, July, August, and … Growing organic garlic is preferred especially for the export market. A good structure allows good water infiltration into the soil and water drainage through the soil, exchange of gases in and out of the soil, and optimal root development. Such seeds can be bought from a garden center or approved Seed Company. After doing this, cover the clove with loose and airy soils. Garlic is very easy to grow and very profitable.. We have developed a 5 Year Plan aimed at the first-time grower. We intend growing our business … However, during the preliminary stages, cooler temperatures are preferred as they assist in vegetative growth needed for plant establishment. Want to be a successful garlic grower? Second, domestic demand is high. However, the idea of venturing into farming … business plans designed for kenyan businesses . Hardneck characterizes with a tan and purple markings. Farmers should avoid garlic growing in clay soils as much as possible as it hinders the enlargement of the bulbs. To have bountiful harvests when growing garlic in Kenya, you must have the proper knowledge of the local seed varieties, soils suitability as well as viable climatic conditions where the crop can do well. But now I vary my planting to supply my customers all year round,” says the proprietor of Saumu Centre Limited. To propagate own garlic seedlings, the bulbs are sun-dried for a month after which they are split into cloves before being disinfected in chlorine. Early weed management is very crucial as it will prevent substantial yield loss. You can use anywhere between 4 to 6-inch layer of either straw, chopped leaves or grass and place them above the rows. It is one of the easiest variety to grow. Kenya's largest telecommunications firm Safaricom is celebrating 20 years since inception. The last type Elephant garlic, is also another popular variety found in many grocery stores on the country. How Much Can I Earn in a Month as a Freelancer? A Sample Onion Farming Business Plan Template 1. ... a pound of seed will plant 10-12 square feet. Well, read on as this article offers a Garlic planting guide to move you in the right direction. Best ideas for farming in Kenya that will increase your profits. You can also decide to work part-time at the herb farm. For this reason, garlic growing is suitable in most Kenyan grounds provided that they drain as well as the crop performs poorly in water-logged soils. Industry Overview. Nevertheless, it is important to note that despite the price instabilities, it is unlikely that garlic will fall below Sh 150 per kilo any time soon. Kieni is considerably hot and dry and has black cotton soil, conditions which favour tolerant crops such as onions. Garlic farming is a lucrative venture with the demand for the crop peaking in the months between May, June, July, August, and September where a kilo cost anywhere between KSh. After a successful experiment in 2012, Mr Githaiga increased his acreage to one acre in 2013, where he harvested 4,800 kilos of garlic. Using a hoe, dig and create trenches that are 25cm deep. As earlier mentioned, garlic farming thrives in well-drained soils that prevent waterlogging. People use garlic as an ingredient in the preparation of special cuisines not only in Kenya but also in a broad variety of French, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian and Mexican recipes. “Last season I earned Sh. Mushrooms are among the most expensive vegetables in Kenyan supermarkets, grocery stores, and open markets. Secondly, garlic is also considered a significant anti-oxidant with components like disulphide, sallycystein, and diallye that aids in reducing the size of the tumor as well as slowing down their growth.