Karia Farmer Self-Help Group

Irrigation and Petrol

2008-07-12T02:16:00.001+03:00

How can the farmers control irrigation and use less petrol pumping water?

MEETING

2008-05-21T13:45:00.002+03:00

MEETING
Originally uploaded by karia.community

test page

2008-05-21T11:10:00.000+03:00

test page

ORGANIC FARMING

2008-05-18T13:11:00.002+03:00

We the farmers meet and started learning on Organic Farming. We learnt on how to prepare manure and be ready for use within one month. The following are the process to undergone and each farmer should prepare his or her own pit.

Dig pit add 'mahuti'cuttings, add ash then manure then pour water and leave for the day. Repeat process until pit is full. Ready for use after one month.

The cuttings used for preparing manure can also be used spraying crops pests. The following are the process to be carried.

Spraying Kiruru, cut and soak in a drum for a week, add EM if possible. Spray kills pests. Sprinkling ash directly on the plants can also eliminate early Bright.

MEETING

2008-05-14T10:52:00.001+03:00

MEETING
Originally uploaded by karia.community

The Karia members agreed to be meeting every Wednsday in a week at 3.30pm and they will be discussing and learnig various topics in Organic farming and they will be giving their suggestion and problem they will be having.
The photo shows the members who were present on that day.

Searching the web

2008-04-24T10:34:00.001+03:00

Searching the web
Originally uploaded by karia.community

S7300164.JPG

Karia Self Help Group has just agreed to have group meetings every
week on topics of interest.

Eliud - Peter and Janet are here learning to find information on
organic farming with the assistance of Jane

Training Day 3 wih Jane

2008-04-24T09:35:00.000+03:00

Jane is currently learning about activities that farmers should do
when using the resource kit.
Posting on their blog
Checking for comments
Checking for emails
Searching for Information

Training Day 1 at Karia

2008-04-22T23:24:00.001+03:00

Training Day 1 at Karia
Originally uploaded by karia.community

Were present:
Jane Michere
Janet Hunja
Peter Kabiro

Training Day 1 at Karia - test

2008-04-22T17:29:00.002+03:00

Were present:

Jane
Janet
Kabiro

Explore the seven wonders of the world Learn more!

Ukulima Wetu - How to farm bananas

2008-04-07T16:47:00.000+03:00

(click for large image)

Photo from Kiangwaci Self Help Group.
Note: Recommended spacing is 5m row, 4m inter row. Only green fresh
leaves should be left. Intercropping is recommended in early stages of
growth.

PLANTING
At least 2 feet (0.6m) deep and 2 feet in diameter and filled with
topsoil mixed with organic manure. For areas with frequent droughts,
larger pits of about 5 feet (1.5m) in diameter and 3 feet (0.9 M) deep
are recommended.

SPACING depends on variety, such that tall variety be spaced 5m by 4m
giving 400 plants per acre as short varieties be spaced 3m by 3m
giving population of 1000 plants per acre or 2500 plants per hectare.
It is recommended to cover the planted suckers with mulch to regulate
moisture losses.

MOST SUITABLE PLANTING period is towards the end of the dry season, or
at the beginning of the rainy season.
Fruiting plant should support by stacking. Each stand to have at most
three plants at different stages for bigger bunches bearing.

PLANTING MATERIAL SELECTION: Young healthy suckers/rhizomes free from
pests and diseases are suitable for planting to avoid disease spread
in the farm. Farm in existence for over 7 years is not good source of
planting material as it has accumulated a lot of pests and diseases.

FIELD MANAGEMENT: Proper spacing, water provision, desuckering,
pruning are field management practices that will last health banana
groove for more than 10 years of good yield.

DIESASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT:
· Plant healthy suckers free from pests and diseases.
· Maintain proper spacing.
· Uproot and burn diseased material.
· Treat infected soil by fumigants

YIELD.
Yield will depend on field management, banana variety and seasonal
conditions experienced after fruiting.
Green banana for cooking yields between 15- 40 kg bunch with potential
of 60kg in average managed fields.
Ripening or Yellow banana gives yield 10- 30 kg with potential of 50kg
a bunch.

By Joseph Orende for karia community

Banana Products and Marketing

2008-04-07T16:40:00.002+03:00

The plant yields fruit used as food while cooked or ripened. The cooked varieties are referred to as green types as the ripening kinds are referred to as Yellow types.

The plant pseudo stems are used as animal feed chopped in small chips especially during dry season when other pasture sources are scarce. Dry stem fiber used in art work for making aesthetic products in various residential points.

Culturally banana green fruit is a key ingredient in diet of recent mothers. Banana fruit is seen to gain greater utility in East Africa especially in Uganda (Matoke) used for wine brewing and juice processing as well as staple food.

No clear market channels or structure are in place for this crop as its demand is scattered over parts of the country but still all the produce has found consumption either locally or internationally. Farmers are now uniting to seek for bigger market to benefit from economies of sell. Juice and wine brewing from the crop is on course.

FUTURE OF BANANA FARMING.
Continued banana production in Kenya, East Africa as well as in the continent rely on sustained demand both locally and internationlly. Diversification of products from banana yield especially value addition by farmers will not only increase and sustain demand but will also inspire more production in yield and acreage. Knowledge in crop management in terms of pests and diseases, Agronomic practices, postharvest handling of the crop is a major resource to be embraced.

Clear and objectively implemented research and information dissemination program grafted in consultation with farmers i.e tissue culture will provide empowerment to farmers with greater motivation. Generally banana production and use in Kenya remains a potential area of exploitation.

Banana Weevil - Wadudu wanaoharibu Ndizi

2008-04-07T16:33:00.003+03:00

Banana weevils affect pseudo stem resulting in root and stem rot reducing water and mineral uptake, plant weaken some fall and yield reduce drastically.

For more information see http://www.infonet-biovision.org

Silver Thrip - Wadudu wanaoharibu Ndizi

2008-04-07T16:07:00.003+03:00

The fruit is affected by silver thrips 1-2mm. The affected fruit bear silver patches spreading to whole fruit.

For more information see http://www.infonet-biovision.org

Aphids - Wadudu wanaoharibu Ndizi

2008-04-07T15:58:00.003+03:00

Banana leaves infested with Aphids Pentalomia nigronervosa attacking in collonies. The pest is a vector transmitting viral disease bunchy-top virus disease besides sucking banana sap.

For more information see http://www.infonet-biovision.org

Nematodes - Wadudu wanaoharibu Ndizi

2008-04-07T15:48:00.003+03:00

Banana groove intensively affected by nematodes have weak stems and easily pulled down by wind or plant weight.

For more information see http://www.infonet-biovision.org

Cigar End Rot - Magonjwa Yanayoadhiri Mmea Wa Ndizi

2008-04-07T15:42:00.003+03:00

Fruit end turns grey-ash with wrinkles appears burnt end cigarette. May spread to whole ripening fruit. Photo shows infected fruit severely affected by cigar end rot. Fruit end turns grey-ash with wrinkles with end burnt like cigar and spread to whole fruit.

Information from www.infonet-biovision.org

Panama Disease - Magonjwa Yanayoadhiri Mmea Wa Ndizi

2008-04-07T15:34:00.005+03:00

Caused by fungus attacking roots and block vascular system supplying water and processed food. Leaves turn yellow from lower part (margins) progressing upwards. Leaves die and stem collapses.

Information from www.infonet-biovision.org

Black Cigatoka - Magonjwa Yanayoadhiri Mmea Wa Ndizi

2008-04-07T15:22:00.005+03:00

Black cigatoka is caused by fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis. The spores (germs) enter openings of leaves forming lesions. Affected spots spread and whole leaf dies and droops.

Information from http://www.infonet-biovision.org

Photo © INIBAP. International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain

Banana Plant needs support

2008-04-07T11:40:00.000+03:00

Well spaced and pruned banana groove but fruiting plants need support.

Banana Plant - Too closely spaced

2008-04-07T11:33:00.000+03:00

Giant ripening banana closely spaced, leaves not pruned. Attract more diseases and yield less than well maintained. Lasts shortly and loss vigour. Photo by Kingwaci SHG

Banana plants require pruning

2008-04-07T11:32:00.000+03:00

Properly spaced but not thinned nor pruned. Crowding lead to nutrient competition and smaller bunch size as well as longer maturity period.

KARIA members during IT training by VeSeL in Feb 2008

2008-04-03T13:09:00.003+03:00

(click for large image)

KARIA SHG members being trained on how to use a computer by University of
Nairobi VeSeL partners in February, 2008

Originally uploaded by Prof. T. Waema on behalf of karia.community

Banana Plants

2008-03-31T11:31:00.002+03:00

Banana trees
Originally uploaded by karia.community

More banana plants on shamba

Small plants on shamba

2008-03-31T11:28:00.001+03:00

Small plants on shamba
Originally uploaded by karia.community

Young plants

Shamba

2008-03-31T11:24:00.001+03:00

Shamba
Originally uploaded by karia.community

Trees on shamba, preparation?

Plants on Shamba 1

2008-03-31T11:22:00.002+03:00

Plants on Shamba 1
Originally uploaded by Josh. U on behalf of karia.community

Banana trees on shamba

Planting?

2008-03-31T11:21:00.001+03:00

Planting?
Originally uploaded by karia.community

Not sure what these are?

Bananas - from well-managed groove

2008-03-31T11:17:00.003+03:00

Giant fingerlings from well managed groove. Bunch is sold between Ksh. 60-150. Photo by J.Ombaka.

Bananas for sale

2008-03-31T11:14:00.003+03:00

Photo by J.Ombaka. Ripened banana retailed for sale, One finger at Ksh. 5

Preparing Shamba

2008-03-31T02:30:00.001+03:00

Preparing Shamba
Originally uploaded by karia.community

What does this photo show?