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Growing Pakchong - Super napier grass
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Pakchong 1, a high-yielding hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum) developed in Thailand, has revolutionized fodder production in Kenya. Introduced around 2015, it's prized for its resilience, nutritional value, and ability to support zero-grazing dairy systems amid shrinking arable land and climate variability. This guide draws on experiences from Kenyan smallholder farmers and agricultural extension services to outline best practices for cultivation, management, and economic viability. Whether you're a dairy farmer in the Rift Valley or a mixed crop-livestock producer in Central Kenya, Pakchong offers a sustainable solution to feed shortages.
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Growing sweet potato vines
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Sweet potato vines |
Sweet potato vines might just be what you need in your livestock feeding program. While most farmers focus on the tubers, the leafy vines are where the value lies especially for livestock farmers. Farmers can transform their feed costs and animal health by making this simple switch. Sweet potato vines aren't just cheap feed—they're actually more nutritious than most expensive concentrates you can buy. Your cows, goats and your chickens will love them. The best part is that you can harvest the same plant multiple times throughout the season. |
Land Preparation
Don't make the mistake of planting sweet potatoes in hard, waterlogged soil. Many farmers lose entire crops because they skipped proper land preparation. Here is what to do:
Start by clearing the shamba of weeds, stones, old crop residue, then break up that soil properly with deep plowing, going down about 20-25 cm. This isn't optional if you want good results.
Next you create raised beds. Make them about 30-45 cm high and roughly 1-1.2 meters wide. Waterlogged sweet potatoes will die, so those furrows between beds will save your crop during heavy rains.
Next add organic manure. You need 2-3 tons per acre of well-rotted manure or compost. Sweet potatoes are heavy feeders, and this investment pays off in vine production.
If using fertilizers, apply nitrogen at 16-24 kg per acre, phosphorus at 24-32 kg per acre, and potassium at 32-40 kg per acre during land prep. Your soil pH should sit between 5.8 and 6.2 for optimal growing conditions.
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Growing carrots
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Carrots growing in the garden |
Carrots are a tuber crop that are most commonly orange and have green leaves. There are other varieties that range in color from white to red. They are used in cooking for food items like soups and stews, to being eaten raw on their own or as part of a salad. There are many varieties of carrot like nantes, oxheart chantey, amsterdam, kuroda among others. They grow mostly in cool climate (15-25°C) and require moderate amount of rainfall (500-900mm). It does well in high altitude from 1200m above sea level, though varieties will dictate the best growing climate. Carrots grow best in fertile well drained soils, for proper root formation and nutrient needs fulfilment. Clay soils may hinder proper root formation. The soil ph should also be checked as it does well between 6.5 and 7.5. |
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Growing Cabbage
Cabbages are one of the more popular vegetables consumed in Kenya. They are relatively easy to grow and manage and mostly require adequate water for optimum growth. There are many varieties of cabbage in the market. They prefer cool climate with fertile, well drained soils.
A head of cabbage
It is a dietary source of potassium, calcium, vitamins A and C. cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable and are thought to fight and protect from cancers such as colon, skin, breast, stomach, liver, bladder and lungs. I have tried growing a few of them and here is my experience.
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