Horticultural News January - February issue

It is planting time. Workers at Kisima Farm prepare the invitros for next season.
happy that our seed has reached
every part of the country. We have
received positive feedback on its
performance and consequently
seed demand is increasing every
season,” My Dyer said.
The farm’s initial aeroponics
was set up in 2009 with assistance
from uSaID and GIZ on a 50-50
basis. Kisima supplied the green
28
houses, power, water supply
and half the growing tables. The
pumps, nebulizers and half the
growing tables were donated
by the agencies. From that initial
partnership Kisima has covered all
running costs including invitro plant
purchases, with plenty of technical
help from CIP. “We are interested
in working more closely with other
H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I j a n u a r y - F E B r u a r y 2 0 1 2
organizations on this project,
especially KEPHIS and KarI .
The total area is 14mX20m and
grows around 2,200 mini tubers.
The main varieties grown
are: Tigoni with a yield potential
of over 40+ MTs;asante with
potential of 25-30 MTs; Sherekea
yield potential of 40+ MTs; Kenya
Mpya yield potential of 50+ MTs
A worker inside the Kisima Farm aeroponics unit in Timau, preparing for the next planting season.
and Purple Gold with low yields of
less than 20 MTs. Mr Dyer says that
at Kisima they have experienced
the benefits of aeroponics
which include high yields, seed
quality and cleanliness, speed of
production and multiplication,
disease control and no soil
disease contamination. all seed is
inspected by KEPHIS and sold with
a certification label, but the farm
would like the inspection body to
shorten the time it takes to give
the final nod.
Despite its magic in turning
around production, the system
has its flipside, the most notable
being the high initial of set up cost.
Considering that it is a controlled
growing environment, good
water and soluble fertilizers and
backup power are musts, and a
break in the chain can destroy the
entire crop. The aeroponics system
is attended to 24 hours to ensure
that temperatures and water are as
per prescribed dosage, not a point
less. “It is a high risk operation
where you can suffer total loss
unless on 24-hour-seven-day -day
vigilance. High hygiene must be
observed and dust must not get
inside,” Mr Dyer said