REARING RABBITS IN AFRICA

Rearing rabbits is a suitable meat producing agribusiness activity among the youth in Africa, for self employment and income generation. Rearing rabbits is increasingly becoming popular particularly among the youth and smallholder farmers as they require low capital investment, limited space and they multiply fast. In recent years there has been increased awareness of the advantages of rabbit meat production in Africa as a means to alleviate animal protein shortages and generate income, particularly in areas with high human population and limited agricultural land. Rabbits have enormous ability to utilize fibrous feed-stuffs which are unsuitable for humans.

Rabbit’s feeds include grass, weeds, garden waste, kitchen waste and concentrates like rabbit pellets. Moreover the carcasses of rabbit have very high meat to bone ratio in comparison with other meat producing livestock. Rabbit manure is high quality fertilizer, while utilization of rabbit skins to make hand bags, shoes and hats creates employment and generates more income. Rabbit market exists mainly in major hotels.

Californians white [which is white with black ears] and New Zealand white [which is entirely white with pink eyes] are the recommended pure rabbit breeds for meat production and upgrading of local African rabbits. These two breeds are fast growing and good meat producers as adult rabbits weighs between 4.5kgs and 5.5kgs.Flemish giant [which is grey to black] is a heavy late maturing rabbit breed weighing up to 6kgswhen fully grown. Local African rabbits are relatively small, usually white, hardy and well adapted to local conditions. Adults weigh about 2.5kgs and make good meat producers when crossed with Californians and New Zealand whites.

Before bringing in the breeding stock a rabbit hutch should be constructed to protect the rabbits from predators. The breeding male or buck must have his own hutch from 3 months of age for good development. Breeding does or females should also be separated from 4 months of age. One buck is enough for every ten does and it’s recommended that several rabbit keepers share one buck at the beginning. The doe can be mated for the 1^st time at the age of 5-6 months. Rabbit gestation period is about 31 days or one month.

A good doe will kindle about four times a year giving about 6-7 kids each time. This makes a total of about 24 young ones per year for every breeding doe. The kids should be weaned at 5 weeks old and separated from the mother.
 Read also-http://yagrein.blogspot.com/2013/11/dairy-farming-in-kenya-has-become.ht

Value chain approach to agriculture for rural development in Kenya

Value chain approach to agriculture business refers to collaboration of the industry partners, to improve quality of agriculture products, increase agriculture systems efficiencies, or develop differentiated agriculture products, for achievement of a more rewarding position in the market place. This helps the partners to have competitive advantage. Value chain approach to agriculture is a recognized modern agriculture business strategy which is customer focused. The partners aim is to match products and services to the needs and demands of the end consumer. A common vision among the partners to serve the consumer, and similar motivation of profit maximization normally has a direct positive impact. This approach lays special emphasis on value creation and agriculture innovation. Value-chain approach to agriculture is crucial for linking small businesses to markets. Therefore it is invaluable for livelihood improvement and rural development particularly in Kenya. The approach challenges its partners to ‘think outside the box’ in order to add value to the products and services demanded by their customers.

Therefore every partner focuses on value creation for the end consumer. The value chain partners in includes:-

• Farmers or producers
• Farm input dealers
• Wholesalers
• Distributors
• Retailers
• Exporters
• Primary agro-processors
• Secondary agro- processors
• Food companies
• Food service operators
• Marketing boards
• Agro-Industries
• Finance institutions

This  approach has several key benefits some of which are access to markets, improved information flow, Benefits of economies of scale, shared cost of risk of innovation, rewarding business relationships, competitive advantage, guaranteed markets, better prices and accelerated rate of innovation due to involvement of the end customers such as retailers and food service operators, who understands the market demands. This results in a chain which is very responsive to the market needs.

Government Extension agents in Kenya deliver key value chain information to the players.

 communication between partners is vital and should be maintained resulting to:

1.      Partner’s rapid response to change in technology or market needs.
2.      Feed back from customers on problems for solutions to be worked out together.
3.      Customer loyalty (trusted relationships)
4.      Improvements in value chain activities because feedback is shared among partners.
5.      Sales achievement, while customers receive the desired product.
6.      Quality compliance of products and services to established

7.   standard and Financial stability for value chain partners due to business success.
More-http://yagrein.blogspot.com/p/what-are-youth-saying.html

 

Logs, Logs, Logs... it's all About the Logs.
Written by Laura

Last week Friday we picked up logs for our fall log inoculation venture. Inoculation starts next week Wednesday, and all of us here at F&FP are psyched. Drilling and filling 500 logs brings us great joy! I am being a little sarcastic, but log inoculation can actually be lots of fun. It gives us all a chance to talk and laugh together. I never know what new and interesting things I might find out about Joe, Mary Ellen, and the rest of the gang. Last time we inoculated logs I learned that Phoebe knows the words to just about every Disney movie song, and that Mary Ellen has a serious addiction to iced coffee...well any coffee for that matter. 

Lichens and mosses on logs are not considered a competitor organism. They merely occupy the outside of the logs. The only time they can become a problem is during drilling, as they can get caught up in the drill. If you wish to remove them, try brushing or power washing them off. It is perfectly fine to leave them on the logs though.

We traveled about an hour northwest of the farm to Aurora, Wisconsin to pick up the logs. All 500 logs are sugar maples, 40 inches long, with various diameters (nothing too big to handle though). These maples were cut for timber stand improvement, and the homestead where these logs came from belongs to John and Nancy Roberts, Ken and Dorothy Osterburg, and Ringo (the dog). We first met John and Nancy at one of our workshops this spring. It was there, that John told Joe he could provide us with shiitake logs if need be. Ironically, John went to the same high school as Mary Ellen in a suburb of Detroit. I guess it really is a small world! 

This is what 500 shiitake logs should look like. Notice how they are not resting directly on the ground. This prohibits the growth of competitor organisms.

Ken and Ringo sit back and watch to make sure we load these logs the right way.

Joe, Jasen, and I drove up together in one truck with one trailer. The trailer seemed plenty big enough, but what we hadn't considered was the weight limit. To get the logs home without incident, we could only take about 300 with us. The rest will be picked up next week. 

There's nothing two guys and a dog can't figure out!

John helps Joe and Jasen secure the load before we head out of the woods for lunch.

All in all our trip was successful. We have enough logs to get us started, and we had an amazing lunch. While we were out fetching logs, Nancy and Dorothy were preparing Sloppy Joes (with beef from a neighbors cow), sweet corn (also from a neighbor), homemade apple sauce and cheese, fresh cows milk, apple cider, and blueberries from the farm atop ice cream. What hospitality!


When deciding to grow shiitakes, one has to figure out where the logs are going to come from. Some of you have your own forests to pick and choose from, but for those of you that don't, be sure to communicate well with the person who is cutting your logs. Be sure they know there is a difference between logs harvested for mushroom cultivation and logs harvested for firewood. I wish all of you shiitake growers the best of luck in finding your logs!  

If you haven't already read Joe's blog post on fall inoculation, check it out. 


     

Agricultural Carbon Sinks for climate change mitigation

A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that gathers and stores carbon containing chemical compounds for an indefinite period. Agricultural carbon sinks also called agriculture carbon sequesters refers to agricultural farms, ranches and forests which absorb CO₂, the most important global warming gas emitted by human activities. According to the greenhouse effect theory, the discharge into the atmosphere of large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other green house gases eventually warms the planet causing climate change. This is due to destruction of the ozone layer which whose function is to reduce the strength of the radiation or sun rays reaching the earth.

Increased concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has led to global warming. Average global temperatures increased by about 1 degree in the 20th century, contributing to the thawing of the permafrost, rising ocean levels and extreme weather according to scientist. Currently there is increased global concern of greenhouse gas emissions and scientists are researching on ways to limit the amount of CO₂ entering the atmosphere; Therefore there is a global drive to limit CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere through Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, in order to mitigate climate change. Carbon sequestration is the process through which agricultural and forestry practices remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and deposit it in a reservoir.Agriculture  Carbon sequestration activities can help to prevent global climate change by enhancing carbon storage in soils and trees, preserving existing soil and tree carbon, and by reducing emissions of CO₂, methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

In order to comprehend CO₂ emissions from the soil, it is important to understand the carbon cycle in farm systems.  Normally CO₂ in the atmosphere is absorbed by plants, and it is transformed into carbohydrates, cellulose and other sugars, during the process of photosynthesis.  The plant uses some of the carbon compounds to meet its energy needs and converts the rest back into CO₂.  Some of the carbon remaining in the plant is then removed from the system when the plant is harvested; the rest ends up in the ground and is transformed into CO₂ again by microbes in the soil.  This cycle is identical in all crop systems, but the quantities of CO₂ involved vary depending on climate, soils and type of plant.  The cycle is slightly more complex on farms where animals are raised because instead of being removed from the system, a considerable amount of the plant matter is used as bedding or animal feed.  Then carbon is released in various ways such as removal by the animals in the form of CO₂, removal in form of animal products (e.g. meat), and a significant amount is returned to the ground in the form of manure.

The soil is a great carbon sink in form of organic matter and various farming practices enhance carbon sequestration in the soil. Therefore creation of a soil carbon sink calls for adoption of land management practices that increase the organic carbon content of the soil. This includes:-

·        Use of minimum tillage , common in conservation agriculture, which minimizes soil disturbance reducing the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere ;

·        Cover cropping as temporary cover between seasons;

·        Crop rotation and intercropping;

·        Soil conservation using contour terraces or vegetative strips;

·        Rotation grazing and high-intensity short-term grazing which involves concentrating livestock in small paddocks for days at a time so they graze lightly but evenly which encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil;

·        Planting of shrubs and trees as windbreaks;

·        Use of farmyard and compost manure to increase soil organic matter;

·        Conversion of marginal farmland to perennial grasses or trees;

Therefore Soil carbon sequestration is a good way of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and creation of a market for reducing carbon emissions would enable farmers to benefit economically from the process. Use of the above land management practices enables the soil to capture more CO₂ than it emits; in effect CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil. As matter of fact, soil Carbon sequestration is a multi- purpose strategy with several co-benefits which include:-

1.      Reduced atmospheric CO2 and climate change mitigation;

2.      Improved agricultural productivity;

3.      Food security improvement;

4.      Increased farm income;

5.      Improved water conservation;

6.      Reduced soil erosion;

7.      Increased farm profitability;

8.      Environmental conservation;

9.      Poverty reduction;

Forests are carbon stores or carbon sinks when they are increasing in density or area. Growing trees sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. The carbon is used to build the plant and the oxygen is released back into the atmosphere. Forest fires and deforestation releases absorbed carbon back into the atmosphere, due to rapidly increased oxidation of soil organic carbon. 

How to Grow Tomatoes in Kenya

Tomatoes are among the most widely grown vegetables in the world. Tomatoes are used in salads, cooked as a vegetable or used in chutneys. Tomatoes are excellent sources of antioxidants, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Fresh juices and its soup are becoming increasingly popular health-drinks across the world. Lycopene antioxidant present in tomatoes is scientifically found to be protective against cancers including colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic tumors. Fresh tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. This crop has high returns on investment (ROI), making it suitable for farming business. Good quality tomatoes which have been carefully handled command good market prices.

Tomato salad

Climatic requirements: Tomatoes grow well in warm conditions and they are fairly adaptable, but excessive humidity and temperatures reduce yields.

Nursery: Choose a nursery site where potatoes, eggplants, peppers and cape gooseberries have not been grown for the last 3 years because of disease risk. A seed rate of 100-200g will give you seedlings enough to plant 1 hectare. Sow the seeds in drills 20 cm apart and 1cm deep. Thin out to 7cm apart latter in rows in order to raise strong seedlings.

Manure: If soils are poor in organic matter, apply 10kg of well decomposed manure per square meter prior to transplanting to improve yields of tomatoes.

Transplanting: This is carried out about one month after sowing seeds in the nursery, or when the plants are about 10-15cm high. Select only the healthy strong seedlings and plant at a spacing of 90cm x 60 cm. Transplant with soil attached to the roots on a cloudy day or late in the evening.

Fertilizers: When transplanting, apply 200kg/ha of double super phosphate which is equivalent to 5g/planting hole. Mix the fertilizer with the soil thoroughly to avoid scorching, and when the plants are 25cm high Top dress with calcium ammonium nitrate at a rate of 100kg per hectare. An application of calcium ammonium nitrate at a rate of 200kg/ha 4 weeks later is beneficial.

Mulching and weeding: Mulch with dry trash to conserve moisture and keep down soil temperatures. Keep the field free of weeds in order to reduce competition for water and nutrients.

Pruning: Leave 2 main stems and pinch out the laterals as they grow every week. When 6-8 trusses have formed, pinch out the growing tip. Pruning will encourage growth of good sized marketable tomatoes. Remove the leaves close to the ground to prevent the entry of blight and other fungal diseases disease.

Watering: water thoroughly 2-3 times every week.

Staking: This is done by pushing firmly into the ground a 2m stake for each plant. Loosely tie the stem to the stake as the plant grows. Alternatively put a stout pole in the ground every 4 meters and run two wires at a height of 2m and 0.15m from the ground respectively. From the top wire run a string down for each plant to the bottom wire. The plants can be carefully twisted around the string as they grow.

  

Harvesting: Fruit for fresh market should be slightly under ripe at harvesting time for it to
Maturity period: Tomatoes mature in 3-4 months after transplanting. travel well to the market, while fruit for canning should be ripe.More-

1. http://yagrein.blogspot.com/p/what-are-youth-saying.html
2. http://yagrein.blogspot.com/2013/01/green-house-farming-technology.html

How to grow Papayas fruits trees (papaws) in Kenya

Papayas fruits trees grow in tropical and subtropical climates and the plants do not tolerate freezing temperatures. Papayas fruits are delicious and grow throughout the year. These fruits are eaten alone or in salad without the skin. The papaws fruits are low in calories and high in potassium, vitamin A and c. Papayas enzymes promote digestion easing constipation and it is efficient in controlling colon infections and colon cancer. The plants are short living perennial trees whose economic life is about 4 years, although the plants have a lifespan of up to 10 years. This means that papaws need to be renewed every 4-5 years for maintenance of an economic orchard. There are three groups of papayas distinguishable by their flowers namely:-

• Female plants –These fruit trees grows female flowers only
• Male plants –These grows male flowers only.
• Hermaphrodites trees –These grows both male and female flowers. Therefore allow 4 plants per hole and later thin out to single trees when flowers appear. You may need to consult your gardening advisor for identification of the flowers.

Papayas require warm to hot climates for growth, and an altitude below 2100m above sea level, with annual rainfall of about 1000mm which is well distributed. The growing soils should be deep, well drained wit adequate moisture, but not waterlogged.

Growing of Papayas is by seed which are extracted from sound papaw fruits and healthy trees. Seeds of Papayas may be direct sown or grown in a nursery first.

Papayas can be directly sown at 6 seeds per hole, and then thinned to four plants per hole after germination and reducing the plants to only one per hole after flowering. In plants where male and female flowers are born on different trees, male trees are allowed at the rate of 25:100 females as pollinators.

Prepare raised beds measuring 1m wide and any convenient length. Papaw seeds are sown at a depth of 1 cm in rows which are 15cm apart. Water the beds heavily before sowing the papaw seed and regularly thereafter. Young plants are ready for transferring to the field at a height of 10-15cm.plants are sown  at a spacing of 3m x 3m in holes measuring 60cm wide and 60cm deep. Mix 18 kg of well decomposed manure with 60 grams of double super phosphate fertilizer and fill the hole with this mixture plus the top  soil, and sow four papaw seedlings per hole which will be thinned out to one per hole at flowering. Firm the soil around the trees seedlings, then Top- dress with 40 grams of CAN fertilizer per hole.

Apply 200g of CAN or ASN on individual papaws once a year at the beginning of rains.

The Average yields of papaw trees are 30-40 tons of marketable fruits per hectare.

The papayas are ready for harvesting when a yellow tinge grows on the blossom end of the fruits. Handle the papaw fruits with care as dropping or bruising lowers the keeping quality.

Value addition

Papaya Jam Making

Ingredients

1kg papayas pulp

½ cup lemon juice

1kg sugar

Procedure

Mix all the ingredients and boil together stirring occasionally until thick.
Test for readiness by Placing 1 teaspoon of Papayas jam onto a cold plate, once cooled push with a finger; if jam wrinkles setting point has been reached.
Pack the  papaw fruits jam  into hot sterilized jars then seal and cool the jam
Label the fruits jam and market
Growing papaw plants is a worthwhile trees farming activity 

 

Pawpaw/tissue culture banana farming e-manual is now available.The two fruits are perfect companions in salads and require similar climatic conditions for growth. email-yagrein@gmail.com to order your copy.

Marketing of Agribusiness Products in Kenya

Farmers being trained on Marketing

Marketing is everything you do to place your product or service in the hands of your customers, which includes diverse disciplines like sales, public relations, pricing, packaging, and distribution. It is the most important part of farming business because it justifies the decision to produce and remain in a particular enterprise. Marketing plans must be based upon the goals laid out in the agribusiness plan, therefore a thorough review and understanding of the plan is the first step in created a marketing plan. The six most important marketing strategies commonly referred to as the six Ps of marketing include:

1. People-Identify people who need and can afford to pay for your product. Who are your customers? What do they need? When do they need it? Marketing is all about finding the right people to persuade to buy your product/service, therefore take time at the initial stages to discover who your potential customers are, and how to effectively reach them.

If you do not start by keeping people in the frontline you are bound to fail because marketing plans are designs of ways to effectively communicate with people.

2. Product / service-Identify the product or service which you will deal with.

How is the availability of complimentary products in the market? What is the demand of the product?

People buy a product as well as the concept of what the product will do for them, or help them do for themselves e.g.  People who are overweight will buy the concept of a new, slim, happy and successful self.

3. Price-The price you charge must be competitive but still allow you to make a reasonable profit taking into consideration how much the consumer is willing to pay for the product.

4. Place- This refers to the geographical area and it may include warehousing, shipping, middlemen etc

How big is your market? How can you expand your market? How accessible is your market?

5. Promotion-How will people know of your product?

Promotion involves influencing people through advertising to buy your product. All products need promotion either to introduce them into the market or increase their demand. This can be achieved through the use of media, posters, signboards, free samples, leaflets, personal and family contacts and sales incentives .However the best form of promotion is a reputation for high quality products, friendly services, fair prices and good management. Recommendation by satisfied customers is the cheapest form of promotion.

6. Packaging-Packaging plays an important role in marketing of food products as follows:

• Protection of the food products against deterioration
• Encourages a customer to prefer the product to the other products on retailer’s shelf
• Tells potential customers about the product

Therefore it is worthwhile making effort to have the best packaging and labeling affordable.

Labeling-Labels must give information about the company and the product as follows:

·        The name of the product

·        The net weight

·        The ingredients in order of the amounts

·        The name and address of the manufacturer or producer

·        The brand name

Distribution and Selling-Transport, distribution and marketing costs are often a major expense to businesses. It is important to always avail products to customers where they wish to buy them from, when they need to buy them. The entrepreneur has to ensure a distribution system that will deliver the product for the customer to get it on time and in the right condition as economically as possible. For more information Visit this marketing LINK -http://mfarm.co.ke/  .