Horticultural News January - February issue

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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
40-50 % PA Fund job creation for one million jobless Kenyans through Employment Creation and Expenditure Managemet Contracts during the years 2012-2013 Ngara Shopping Complex, 4th floor, Ngara Road, opposite Arya Secondary Sch., off Muranga Road, , P. O Box 11381-00100 Nairobi Kenya, Tel: 0719 782 424, 0700 426002, 0731 793480, 020 8054433, Email:employment.contracts@yahoo.com 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 29
Page 1 and 2: NO. 20 JAN/FEB 2012 Ksh 300, US$5 H
Page 3 and 4: H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I
Page 5 and 6: seasonal credit for food security Y
Page 7 and 8: GODOWNS FOR SALE/TO LET SAKU BUSINE
Page 11 and 12: ONIONS Onions are important horticu
Page 13 and 14: Wins Second MDG Award Eradicating E
Page 15 and 16: An Amiran agronomist shares a light
Page 17 and 18: secondary schools in the water scar
Page 19 and 20: HIGH CONCENTRATION POTASSIUM SOLUTI
Page 21 and 22: For over 30 years farmers have trus
Page 23 and 24: Chrysal Africa now offers — Pre-t
Page 27: H O R T I C U LT U R A L N E W S I
Page 31 and 32: Sources of seed Farmers should use
Page 33 and 34: Anti-counterfeits committee chairma
Page 35 and 36: Harakisha....wapi page za AAK? you
Page 43 and 44: Jos Hansen (EA) Ltd, a pump supplie
Page 45 and 46: Belspray range Bellspray High N: NP
Page 47 and 48: Good neigbours traditional sugarcan
Page 51 and 52: Soil sampling using Trimble GPS now
Page 53 and 54: HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUT
Page 55 and 56: HORTICULTURAL CROPS DEVELOPMENT AUT
Page 57 and 58: Between June and November 2
Page 59 and 60: Market overview sales volume
Page 61 and 62:   Self‐service Sales volume
Page 63 and 64: June  Flowers  9,324,582  3,2

Horticultural News January - February issue

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