Organic agriculture is a holistic system approach based upon sustainable ecosystems, safe food production, good nutrition, animal welfare and social justice. KEY PRINCIPLES IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Many different expressions have come to be used to imply greater sustainability in some agricultural systems over prevailing ones (both pre-industrial and industrialized). These include biodynamic, community-based, eco-agriculture, ecological, […]
Herbicide spraying is not allowed in organic farming. This method uses various plant poisons to kill the weeds, all of which are harmful to natural systems and some of which can stay in the soil for a very long time and become part of the food we eat. There have been many examples in East […]
Botanicals are derived from plants. Many plant products are said to have pesticidal properties. They are natural products and most of them break down quickly on the leaves or in the soil. However, there is very little information on their effective dose rates, their impact on beneficial organisms or their toxicity to humans. Garlic is […]
Hot water treatment of own seed to prevent seed borne diseases such as black rot, black leg, black spot and ring spot of crucifers is recommended. This treatment helps reduce the seed-borne pathogens such as Alternaria spp., Colletotrichum spp., Phoma spp., Septoria spp., and bacterial pathogens (Pseudomonas spp., and Xanthomonas spp). However, specified temperature and […]
At the close of the harvesting season in April, farmers sold macadamia nuts at Sh220 per kilo, making it one of the most lucrative cash crops in the country after tea. However, the current price is the lowest in Africa, South Africa`s being an equivalent of sh580per kilo. Kenya’s annual macadamia production has increased by […]
Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya presents a good opportunity not only for farmers, but a growing population of youths to venture into. The Kenyan market both domestic and export is growing but limited by the production capacity of the current farmers. The most popular variety for the export market is the HASS avocado. Kenya produces […]
French bean farming has in the recent times become one of the most lucrative venture in agriculture. With a certain market which is the European market especially during winter seasons when there is minimal production abroad. Meeting export market standards becomes a big issue for some farmers due to use of synthetic pesticides that are […]
Plants require nutrients to grow and develop, much the same like people. We eat so our bodies can get the vital nutrients and minerals to grow healthy. This brings to mind the saying “you are what you eat” and it is the same with plants. Poor feeding and low nutrient levels will result in poor […]
Soil amendments are made by adding fertilizer to the soil but there are different types of fertilizers. There is bulky organic fertilizer, such as cow manure, bat guano, bone meal, organic compost and green manure crops. And then there is also chemical fertilizer which is also referred to as inorganic fertilizer and is made up […]