Saturday, July 12, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
ORGANIC FARMING
- 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.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
MEETING
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.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Searching the web
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
when using the resource kit.
Posting on their blog
Checking for comments
Checking for emails
Searching for Information
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Training Day 1 at Karia
Training Day 1 at Karia
Originally uploaded by karia.community
Were present:
Jane Michere
Janet Hunja
Peter Kabiro
Monday, April 7, 2008
Ukulima Wetu - How to farm bananas
(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
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
Banana weevils affect pseudo stem resulting in root and stem rot reducing water and mineral uptake, plant weaken some fall and yield reduce drastically.Silver Thrip - Wadudu wanaoharibu Ndizi
The fruit is affected by silver thrips 1-2mm. The affected fruit bear silver patches spreading to whole fruit.Aphids - Wadudu wanaoharibu Ndizi
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
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
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
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.Black Cigatoka - Magonjwa Yanayoadhiri Mmea Wa Ndizi
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.
Banana Plant - Too closely spaced
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
Properly spaced but not thinned nor pruned. Crowding lead to nutrient competition and smaller bunch size as well as longer maturity period.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
KARIA members during IT training by VeSeL in Feb 2008
(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
Monday, March 31, 2008
Plants on Shamba 1
Plants on Shamba 1
Originally uploaded by Josh. U on behalf of karia.community
Banana trees on shamba
Bananas - from well-managed groove
Giant fingerlings from well managed groove. Bunch is sold between Ksh. 60-150. Photo by J.Ombaka.
