There are many variety of seeds which are involved in peas farming in Kenya. They are categorized in to various groups such a snap peas, s...
This includes knowing their environment needs like the climate and soil and other things that is of great importance in successfully running the farm. For the climate, sweet peas require full sunlight exposure. As like with many kinds of plants, sunlight is a very important aspect. It helps on making the sweet peas reach their best condition and taste.
As with any other farm, rich soil is one of the necessities. Rich soil equates to having the best sweet peas harvest. For the soil treatment, it is advised to monthly feed it in with fertilizers that are high in potassium. Enriching the soil is same as enriching the harvest. However, it is also of great importance to prevent pest from pestering the sweet peas. But the good news is that, sweet peas have few pest problems.
Sweet peas often grow on bamboo tripods and even in shrubby plants. Providing the right place for the sweet peas to grow is very essential. The right breathing ground will greatly influence the kind of sweet peas that you are to harvest. It is better to spoil them with what they wanted and in that way, they will also grow in the way you expected.
In growing sweet peas, it is also of great importance to have knowledge on their different varieties. Each variety of course demands different treatment and maintenance requirements. Some of these varieties are the old fashioned, spencer cultivars and Bijou. Sweet peas’ farming is technically easily when you have the right knowledge.
Sweet peas are directly seeded. It is also recommended that seeds are to be soaked in water for an ample amount of time for the seed coats to soften and aid the germination process. When to be planted in warm ground, make sure the ground is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
On growing sweet peas it is also important to know when they have reached their matured size. Typically, sweet peas’ matured size is at six to eight inches. They usually bloom from the late spring up to summer. In cooler climates, they even bloom up until fall.
Apart from having the right knowledge and skills on growing sweet peas, it is also of great deal acquiring some management skills and marketing too especially when the farm is intended to be run at a large scale. Have connection to markets so you will have regular customers for your harvests as soon as gathered.
Pigeon peas farming in Kenya
Pigeon peas also referred in Swahili as mbaazi is produced as a vegetable or export grain crop in southern and eastern Africa. Pigeon pea is a perennial shrub that is commonly grown as an annual crop. It has very slow initial development (up to 2 months after planting). With a deep taproot, pigeon peas are able to take up nutrients and water from lower subsoil layers. Pigeon pea is well balanced nutritionally and an excellent source of protein.
Pigeon pea is useful as tall hedges on dry soil and on the bunds of paddy fields. The branches and stems can be used for baskets and firewood. It is often grown as a shade crop, cover crop or windbreak. After establishment, pigeon pea improves the soil by its extensive root system.
The bacterium Rhizobium that lives on the roots of the pigeon pea is able to fix nitrogen and thus to improve soil fertility. Fallen leaves are used as mulch. Traditional uses as medicine are many, e.g. young leaves are applied to sores, herpes and itches.
Quick guide about pigeon peas farming in Kenya
Varieties of pigeon peas in Kenya : Kat 60/8, Kat 81/3/3, Kat 777, ICPL 89091, Mbaazi-1/2/3
Planting and garden practices in pigeon peas farming in Kenya
- Seed Rate: 20-25 kg per ha
- Fertilizer Rate: Fertilizers hardly used.
- Planting : Spacing 30-50 cm x 75-150 cm and 10cm deep.
- Husbandry
- Propagation is by seed. Pigeon pea thrives best in seedbeds prepared by deep ploughing and cultivations to reduce weeds.
- Plants are fairly slow to start and weed control for the first two months is important in crop establishment. Once plants are established they grow vigorously.
- In intercropping, the crop performs well with 2 rows of cereals (e.g. sorghum, millets), cotton or groundnut.
Pest & Diseases affecting pigeon peas farming in Kenya
- Cutworms Plant: is cut at ground level. Use Pesticides
- Fusarium wilt: Partial or total wilting of plants at flowering and podding Use fungicides
Climatic Conditions suitable for pigeon peas farming in Kenya
- Optimum temperatures for pigeon pea cultivation range from 18 to 38°C and rainfall optimum is 600-1000 mm/year.
- Pigeon pea is rarely found above altitudes of 2000 m.
- Drained soils of reasonable water-holding capacity and with pH 5-7 are favorable.
- Pigeon pea does not tolerate shallow soils or water logging or frost.
Harvesting of pigeon peas in Kenya
- Expected yields 4 – 10 tons per hectare
- The crop is usually cut near the ground when most pods are mature, or mature pods are picked individually.
- Green pods are picked over a long period.
- Ratoon cropping is mostly practiced.
- After harvest the stems are cut back to facilitate re-growth and a second crop is harvested in the subsequent season.
Post Harvest and Storage;
- Entire air-dried plants or pods are threshed, usually by hand or with cattle, and seed is cleaned.
- bins prevent insect attack, which can be considerable. Storage as split peas reduces bruchid attacks.
Suitable regions for pigeon peas farming in Kenya
Central, Eastern, Western and Nyanza under irrigation.
