The end of the year is drawing to a close. It is only yesterday when HappyMeals set up shop and started this regular blog! The year has practically flown!! Anyway, I watched news with interest yesterday, it is harvest time in Eldoret and the town is abuzz with activity. Everybody wants a piece of the pie. The farmer is just about to get his reward :-)
Maize is the staple food crop in Kenya. First time farmers can grow maize as it has a ready market and is a tried and tested cash crop. Chances of failing the first time you try your hand at farming will be reduced if you abide by the following guidelines. You will save money and the rewards will be totally worth it. Farmers who follow recommended guidelines in maize planting can harvest up to 40 bags per acre at the end of the year. With a single bag of maize being bought at an average price of Kshs. 4,000 by the National Cereals And Produce Board (N.C.P.B.), do the math! And trust me, the cost of growing it will not compare to what you make.
Below are a few guidelines you can employ to ensure you get a good yield:
- If you are leasing land, make sure you know its recent history. A shamba that has been over used requires better preparation. Continuous usage of land robs it of nutrients and other important qualities which result in a bad harvest. Plough three or four times before you plant your maize. Use a hoe to remove dead weeds and other unfavourable objects. The ploughing will loosen the soil and unearth the weeds. By the time you are planting, the shamba should be fertile to give a good return.
- Plant early. At the onset of the rains, grow your maize. Planting late greatly reduces the yield from your shamba. Our weather patterns favour a lot of crops, timing is important so you need to develop an interest in the weather segment after News!
- Next thing you need is to get the correct hybrid seeds. There is a variety and your choice will be based upon the altitude and rainfall. Again, know your weather!
- Once you buy your hybrid seeds, make sure you get advice on the level of harvest and how best to maximise the returns. You need vital information such as the number of seedlings per acre, distance between each hole and so forth.
- Make sure you plant extra seeds which will compensate for any losses of the actual seeds. Avoid planting your seeds together with the fertilizer. This can cause seed scorching which could kill your seeds before they germinate.Mix the fertilizer with the soil, then plant your seed. Once you plant, cover it loosely with soil. Do not bury your seedling so deep in the ground that it misses out on good nutrients. Do not plant it too loosely as it can be easily washed away by the rain or water.
- Start weeding your crops early and keep at it till they flower. Do it regularly to keep a tidy and clean environment for your plants to thrive.
- Apply insecticide to each and every plant. In Kenya, the most annoying pest for maize farmers is the stalkborer. Get rid of it.
- Soon as you harvest, ensure that you also apply the correct pesticides during storage. Weevils and other insects will be waiting to attack the then dried food so take appropriate measure!
If you follow the above guidelines, you are bound to get a good yield and after the first time, you can comfortably take up farming! As usual, HappyMeals will continue to bring you useful info to enhance your farming experience.
Note: If you hope to grow maize next year, you should have already secured your land. It should be ready for early preparation soon.
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