- Onion farming is a profitable agribusiness in Kenya, but its success depends upon the effort put into the business.
- It is crucial to know what to put into onion farming, including locations, fertilizers, farm preparation, etc.
- The essence is to have a thriving business and avoid blunders that would make the business unproductive.
Onion farming tips and steps
Select the right location, usually one with well-drained soil and full sun access. Low-lying areas are not the best since they lead to rot of the onion bulb.
Once you find the right location with well-drained soil, test the soil to assess the level of nutrients and the pH level. the ideal pH level for onions is between 5.8 and 6.8.
Sometimes, the soil may be ideal but may need a boost. This boost may be in the form of compost or any other organic matter that may improve soil drainage or increase soil nutrients.
Next would be soil tillage to loosen it up and allow air circulation and bed preparation for planting.
Plant your onions! Remember to evenly space them to allow them room to grow.
Key Takeaways
In Kenya, the ideal time to plant onions is the rainy season since they need a lot of water for proper growth, usually from April to June.
Always water your onions every 3-5 days if the rains fail. Remember, not too little water that they will not develop and not too much water that they will rot. Just an average amount.
Weeding is crucial for onion production, whether through mechanical control method (hand weeding, hoeing, tine weeding) or chemical control method (use of herbicides).
Thinning the onion plants is part of the process and it involves the focus of the plants in producing fewer but larger onions. it also prevents overcrowding and scrambling for soil nutrients.
Mulching is also important and should be a thick layer to allow for moisture retention, prevention of soil erosion and weed suppression. For best results, onions should be mulched after tilling the soil and before planting.
The best fertilizer for onions in Kenya must be high in nitrogen and low in phosphorus. The most common type is the DAP fertilizer that promotes the strong growth of onions with large bulb sizes. The NPK fertilizer comes in as a softer version of the DAP since NPK has lower concentrations of the phosphorus and potassium nutrients.
It is crucial to keep on top of disease and pest control using chemical sprays, companion planting (planting crops alongside onions that repel pests), and use of traps.
Onions take 4-6 months to mature in Kenya because the climate and soil types are supportive of onion farming.
