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    Kenya Breweries Launches a new Alcoholic brand in Kenya

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    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

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    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

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    Hennessy launches new initiative to support bartenders in Kenya

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    Mitumba trade employs over 2 million Kenyans new report reveals

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    Equity land Ksh16.5 billion loan to support MSMEs

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    Electric Boda-Bodas’ Launched in Kenya

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    World Animal Protection calls for an End to wildlife trade

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    New Construction Technology to help NHC deliver affordable homes

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    NCBA partners with Shelter Afrique to finance properties in 5 counties

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    New Ksh350Million Commercial centre to be constructed in Athi River

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    Greenpark Estate injects Ksh15M to its development

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    LG’s OLED Honoured at the Technology and Engineering Awards

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    Kenya’s position as a Digital Media Hub gaining momentum

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Kenyan Business Feed
  • Home
  • News
    New initiative empowers women farmers with access to finance

    New initiative empowers women farmers with access to finance

    Kenya Breweries Launches a new Alcoholic brand in Kenya

    Kenya Breweries Launches a new Alcoholic brand in Kenya

    High Court okays completion of Ksh.600m Infrastructure Projects

    High Court okays completion of Ksh.600m Infrastructure Projects

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

    KenGen awarded for gender mainstreaming and women empowerment in the workplace

    KenGen awarded for gender mainstreaming and women empowerment in the workplace

    KNCCI, SDG Kenya Forum ink Deal to Empower Women

    KNCCI, SDG Kenya Forum ink Deal to Empower Women

    Government to collect rent from commercial and residential houses

    Government to collect rent from commercial and residential houses

    OPINION: Why Europe wants Africa to end crop protection in case science one day shows it’s harmful

    OPINION: Why Europe wants Africa to end crop protection in case science one day shows it’s harmful

  • Markets
    Kenya Breweries Launches a new Alcoholic brand in Kenya

    Kenya Breweries Launches a new Alcoholic brand in Kenya

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

    Hennessy launches new initiative to support bartenders in Kenya

    Hennessy launches new initiative to support bartenders in Kenya

    Mitumba trade employs over 2 million Kenyans new report reveals

    Mitumba trade employs over 2 million Kenyans new report reveals

    African Airlines Association call for support measures to rescue continent aviation industry

    African Airlines lost Ksh1 trillion in 2020

    Equity land Ksh16.5 billion loan to support MSMEs

    Equity land Ksh16.5 billion loan to support MSMEs

    Electric Boda-Bodas’ Launched in Kenya

    Electric Boda-Bodas’ Launched in Kenya

    World Animal Protection calls for an End to wildlife trade

    World Animal Protection calls for an End to wildlife trade

  • Real Estate
    17% of Kenyan Billionaires looking to buy a house in 2021

    17% of Kenyan Billionaires looking to buy a house in 2021

    Kenyan Firm awarded Most Innovative Community Developer 

    #OmokaNaAlma: This is how you get awarded Sh50,000 by Cytonn Real Estate

    Developing Countries Set To Lose Sh22 Trillion Due to COVID-19

    Commercial office rents fall 13pc in quarter 3 & 4 of 2020

    New Construction Technology to help NHC deliver affordable homes

    New Construction Technology to help NHC deliver affordable homes

    NCBA partners with Shelter Afrique to finance properties in 5 counties

    NCBA partners with Shelter Afrique to finance properties in 5 counties

    New Ksh350Million Commercial centre to be constructed in Athi River

    New Ksh350Million Commercial centre to be constructed in Athi River

    Greenpark Estate injects Ksh15M to its development

    Greenpark Estate injects Ksh15M to its development

    LG’s OLED Honoured at the Technology and Engineering Awards

    LG’s OLED Honoured at the Technology and Engineering Awards

    Kenya’s position as a Digital Media Hub gaining momentum

    Kenya’s position as a Digital Media Hub gaining momentum

  • Tech
    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Electric Boda-Bodas’ Launched in Kenya

    Electric Boda-Bodas’ Launched in Kenya

    Konza Technopolis, Israel to host Innovation Challenge

    Konza Technopolis, Israel to host Innovation Challenge

    TikTok releases H2 2020 Global Transparency Report

    TikTok releases H2 2020 Global Transparency Report

    OPPO Announces Global Partnership with Volkswagen

    OPPO Announces Global Partnership with Volkswagen

    2 Kenyans selected to create African Inspired stickers for New Chat App

    2 Kenyans selected to create African Inspired stickers for New Chat App

    Mobile Phones contribute to the realisation of UN SDGs – 2020 GSMA report says

    realme awards fans to Valentines through DaretoLove Campaign

    realme awards fans to Valentines through DaretoLove Campaign

    Opera launch its new Chat App to rival WhatsApp

    Opera launch its new Chat App to rival WhatsApp

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    1ST Commonwealth women’s Entrepreneurship Summit launched

    1ST Commonwealth women’s Entrepreneurship Summit launched

    OPPO Announces Global Partnership with Volkswagen

    OPPO Announces Global Partnership with Volkswagen

    World Engineering Day to Be Celebrated in Kenya

    World Engineering Day to Be Celebrated in Kenya

    How NASA Technology Can Help Save The World’s Largest Shark

    How NASA Technology Can Help Save The World’s Largest Shark

    After fight with US Authorities Huawei CEO now want talks with Biden

    After fight with US Authorities Huawei CEO now want talks with Biden

    Ford Vehicles to be powered by Android and Google apps in new deal

    Ford Vehicles to be powered by Android and Google apps in new deal

    Columbia Africa banks on primary and preventive healthcare to grow market share

    Columbia Africa banks on primary and preventive healthcare to grow market share

    DHL Express Named Best Employer in The World

    DHL Express Named Best Employer in The World

    Meet the founder of Safari Doctors Umra Omar

    Meet the founder of Safari Doctors Umra Omar

  • KBF
    • All
    • Agribusiness
    • Banking
    • Insurance
    • Manufacturing
    • Opinion
    Woman Uses Ksh. 1m Prize to champion use of biofortified foods

    Woman Uses Ksh. 1m Prize to champion use of biofortified foods

    New initiative empowers women farmers with access to finance

    New initiative empowers women farmers with access to finance

    High Court okays completion of Ksh.600m Infrastructure Projects

    High Court okays completion of Ksh.600m Infrastructure Projects

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Global Music Streaming Service Enters the Kenyan Market

    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

    Rubis continue phasing out KenolKobil, Gulf Energy petrol stations

    Struggling retailer Tuskys closes three more branches permanently

    Tuskys CEO Dan Githua resigned months ago

    KNCCI, SDG Kenya Forum ink Deal to Empower Women

    KNCCI, SDG Kenya Forum ink Deal to Empower Women

    1ST Commonwealth women’s Entrepreneurship Summit launched

    1ST Commonwealth women’s Entrepreneurship Summit launched

    Government to collect rent from commercial and residential houses

    Government to collect rent from commercial and residential houses

    • Agribusiness
    • Banking
      Trouble at Britam as top executives face sack one month after new CEO takes office

      Trouble at Britam as top executives face sack one month after new CEO takes office

      Citibank establishes programme to support women owned businesses

      Citibank establishes programme to support women owned businesses

      Equity land Ksh16.5 billion loan to support MSMEs

      Equity land Ksh16.5 billion loan to support MSMEs

      Safaricom PLC Announces A 14.4 Per Cent Increase In Half-year Net Profit

      Safaricom cracks whip on rogue MPESA agents

      Bill in parliament seeks to have CBK regulate Mobile lenders

      Faulu Bank to lend Ksh 3 billion to SMEs to boost growth

      Faulu Bank to lend Ksh 3 billion to SMEs to boost growth

      DTB Bank set to shut down 6 branches

      DTB Bank set to shut down 6 branches

      Secure your future by saving with Metropolitan National Sacco

      Housing Finance launches new money transfer service

      Housing Finance launches new money transfer service

    • Insurance
      Trouble at Britam as top executives face sack one month after new CEO takes office

      Trouble at Britam as top executives face sack one month after new CEO takes office

      AAR Insurance embrace paperless model with new mobile app

      AAR Insurance embrace paperless model with new mobile app

      Minet feted Insurance Broker of the Year

      Minet feted Insurance Broker of the Year

      Faulu Bank to lend Ksh 3 billion to SMEs to boost growth

      Faulu Bank to lend Ksh 3 billion to SMEs to boost growth

      Pension Schemes Maintain Positive Performance in Q4 of 2020

      Pension Schemes Maintain Positive Performance in Q4 of 2020

      DigiTrust: ICEA Lion Group bets on technology in the rewarding money market field

      DigiTrust: ICEA Lion Group bets on technology in the rewarding money market field

      ICEA Lion Life appoints a new CEO

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      Opinion: Now is The Time to Redeem the Nursing Profession

      IoT predictions for 2021: Smarter tech will make better business

      IoT predictions for 2021: Smarter tech will make better business

      KRA Goes After Rich Individuals, Firms Over Sh250 Billion

      Digital Services Tax a desperate move caused by bad governance

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      OPINION: Managing the end-of-life of products to accelerate a circular economy in Kenya

      Why Digital Services Tax is a retrogressive policy

      Why Digital Services Tax is a retrogressive policy

      How Citizen TV Became The Most Watched in Kenya

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      This is the new Safaricom logo

      Fail or win? Mixed Reactions over Safaricom’s new logo

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      OPINION: Why Safaricom’s Fuliza is a rip off!

      OPINION: Conserve Nature Even as you Work to Achieve SDGs

      OPINION: Conserve Nature Even as you Work to Achieve SDGs

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Feedback: Rains, ducks, deaths of calves

by Kenyan Business Feed
May 8, 2019
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SEEDS OF GOLD EXPERTS

By SEEDS OF GOLD EXPERTS
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KIENYEJI CHICKENS, RABBITS AND HYDROPONICS

Thank you for your agribusiness advice. I would like to know more on hydroponics. My thought is to start with fodder as I want to keep rabbits and kienyeji chickens.

Is it recommended to give them fodder? Who can I contact to get the seeds, nutrients and set-up? I would also like to do sample raft hydroponic system for lettuce, spinach and other vegetables. What is the cost and material required?

Hydroponics is a soil-free farming system where one can control the amount and rate of nutrient supply to crops. The idea behind hydroponics is to allow roots a direct contact with the nutrient solution and a good access to oxygen.

Crops grown by hydroponics are of high nutrient content, superior quality and mature rapidly. They may be grown with roots in nutrient solution only or in an inert medium.

For vegetable farming, there are different hydroponic system designs. You can consider drip systems/fertigation, wick, ebb and flow, nutrient film and deep water culture.

You may consider buying a complete kit or fabricate your own. For fodder, Hydroponic Kenya Ltd is a leading supplier for a system that is electricity-free.

With such a system, you can produce two kilos of fodder a day in one tray using two litres of water. The number of trays will vary with the housing space of your structure.

The costing can be estimated by the number of trays to be installed.

For example, a unit with 20 trays will cost at least Sh20,000 and a 40-tray unit around Sh40,000. The general requirements are a housing structure (shading net or greenhouse), hydroponic trays/container (tray for fodder and containers for vegetables), seeds, nutrient formulation — available in the market at formulations specific for a given crop and a reliable source of clean water.

Samuel Muhoro Kinyanjui,
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Egerton University.

WHAT DO I DO TO RAISE DUCKS?

Could you provide information on common duck diseases? Secondly, can you advice on yellow lupin seller. I have looked for one in vain.

Finally, what’s your take on khaki Campbell ducks kept for egg production: Can they be compared to chicken layers?
Nick Kinyua, Laikipia

Ducks are raised in a wide variety of conditions. They adapt well to a wide range of systems of care. Such systems include high temperature and special attention by the caretaker at early brooding stage, protection from extremes in weather conditions and predators.

A clean, dry sheltered area, clean water for drinking, a diet that provides all of the duck’s daily nutritional needs are also necessary.

Ensure adequate light stimulation, especially for layers and protection from disease. Caretakers must prevent ducks from becoming infected with disease by establishing and maintaining a biosecurity programme.

The birds should be immunised against infectious diseases. Minimise environmental stresses, which may cause ducks to become susceptible to infections.

Common duck diseases include duck virus hepatitis, duck virus enteritis, riemerella anatipestifer infection, avian cholera, colibacillosis, aspergillosis, aflatoxin poisoning and botulism.

On yellow lupins, kindly visit Kenya Seeds Ltd outlets or Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation. They could be having the seeds.

As the population of Kenya increases, demand for meat and eggs will rise.

Do a market survey in malls, supermarkets and hospitals. You can also open a duck eggs sale shop.

Ducks can be classified as meat, egg, herding and multipurpose breeds. The high egg producing breeds include khaki Campbell and Indian runner. One can produce more than 250 eggs a year.

Dennis Kigiri,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

KENYA FARMERS’ ROLE IN COUNTRY’S FOOD SAFETY.

There is a lot of debate on food safety. Kindly break down this for an ordinary person. What is my role as a farmer in this debate

To begin with, food safety entails all measures taken during handling, preparation and storage of food. This ensures that what people eat is safe and free of contamination.

There are indications of a steady rise in food related illnesses that has attracted a lot of attention and continues to bring together relevant government and donor agencies, development organisations and research community to explore ways of mitigating this.

Illnesses arise when people consume foods that are handled unhygienically and produced or prepared in ways that enhance risks.

Food safety is interconnected. It is a shared responsibility and farmers have a great role to play since it begins at production.

One of the main reasons for the prevalence of food-borne illnesses is the use of fresh agricultural produce such as fruits, vegetables and milk.

Farmer interventions involve adopting good agricultural practices, thought planting, growing and harvesting; observing water quality; sourcing and using to acceptable levels or correct application or adherence to instructions on agrochemicals’ usage; observing withdrawal periods or pre-harvest intervals, among others.

Ethical practices during handling of harvested products are also desirable in the push for safety.

Lately, there have been deliberate attempts to increase awareness and train food producers in safety guidelines and standards along various value chains.

Producer compliance to these standards by carrying out self-audit checks would be a big boost to the whole food safety debate.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Science, Egerton University

****
THE LINK BETWEEN RAINS AND DEATH OF CALVES

When the rains come, I start losing my calves. How can I prevent this?

The rains might be back, presenting a critical time in raising calves. For dairy farmers, calf management during this season must be at the best, failing which they may suffer great losses.

Calf infections and possibly mortality can be influenced broadly by nutrition, low disease resistance and level of exposure to pathogens.

In the prevailing weather, the last two largely apply. This calls for extra attention, especially to newborn calves.

Generally, calves are less able to respond to cold weather compared to mature cattle. Science has it that most of the adipose tissues of newborn calves have the cellular morphology that help them deal with cold temperatures.

When it is cold, this special fat tissue is broken down, creating heat that helps the calf keep warm.

Very cold conditions can overcome this protective mechanism and calves may freeze to death, though this is rare. All these can in one way, or another be addressed by proper housing.

Over and above, creating low temperatures, rainy/cold weather conditions can have a great effect on the risk of hypothermia (exposure to excess cold) or wet conditions, which can kill newborns.

There are farmers who do not shelter their calves during the rains, which also exposes them to humid and cold conditions. That can be stressful to calves. If necessary, chilled calves should be taken in for warming.

As said earlier, these effects can be minimised by proper housing. Good calf housing provides shelter that protects them from rains and dry environment in form of bedding. Depending on the system of production, a calf’s house floor can be at ground level or raised.

If at ground level, the floor should be made of easily cleanable material (like concrete). It should also be easy to drain and be bedded with insulating material like dry straws.

Raised pens should have a slatted floor. The sides can be made of concrete or wooden.

Cold weather presents a high-risk period for the occurrence of calf pneumonia. Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs, which can result in mortality.

Even when housed, calves can still get infected. As a matter of fact, the disease is mostly associated with housed calves.

Since this is a ‘multifactorial’ disease, practice good hygiene at calving.

Ensure enough colostrum intake after birth as well as good nutrition for growing calves.

Houses for calves should be open enough to allow for good ventilation and lighting (artificial or natural) but not for draft (strong winds).

Remember, calf housing can also bear negative consequences since pathogenic organisms can build up and thrive in the stalls.

Therefore, finding the right balance of protecting calves from the cold and not exposing them to sicknesses such as scours (diarrhoea) especially during the rains or cold weather is a must.

This demands that high level hygiene is maintained. Cleaning and sanitising the pen and feeding equipment after every use can prevent the spread of scours.

Keeping beds clean and dry during cold weather can be challenging, especially when they unintendedly sop wet.

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In such a scenario, the beds should be regularly replaced and more often for group housing.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Science, Egerton University

WHEN CAN I SPRAY SULPHUR ON MY AVOCADO TREES?

I have a small grove of hass avocado trees. I would be grateful if you could provide advice on spraying sulphur when the trees are blooming. What quantities do I use and at what frequency?

Sabina
An avocado tree produces one or two million flowers in a single period, though only about 200-300 fruits mature. Every flower has a single pistil with one carpel and an ovule.

Avocado cultivars are grouped into two classes on the basis of their flowering behaviour.

Class A: Flowers open in the morning for two to three hours, functioning as females with a white stigma while stamens remain closed.

The flowers close around noon and reopen the following day during the afternoon for three to four hours working as males with stigmas not functioning.

Class B: Flowers open in the afternoon as females, with stamens remaining closed. These flowers close in the evening and reopen the next morning as males.

This phenomenon is called protogyny, diurnally synchronous dichogamy — common when warm weather prevails during flowering.

Spraying flowers with sulphur will not reduce the blossom drop. You have to know that the yield of an avocado tree increases with age.

According to Oxfarm, you will incur an expense of Sh40,000 on an acre of avocado.

Year One and Two: Growth.
Year Three: 200 to 250 fruits per tree, translating to Sh240,000.
Year Five: 800 fruits per tree — about Sh900,000.
Year Six: 1,000 fruits — Sh1.08 million.
Year Seven: 1,100 fruits — Sh1.3 million.
Year Eight: 1,300 fruits — Sh1.5 million.
Year Nine: About 1,500 fruits — Sh1.8 million.
Year 10: Expect more than 1,750 fruits per tree, translating to Sh2 million.

Please note that Hass avocado trees are spaced at five by five by metres to have 150 trees per acre. Every fruit sells for roughly Sh8.

Carol Mutua, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

REQUEST FOR GUIDELINES ON VEGETABLE FARMING.

I hope this email finds you well. This is to request for guidelines on vegetable farming. I have been a keen follower of Seeds of Gold from its inception.

Your advice on agribusiness is great. I look forward to a favourable response.

Thank you for showing interest in one of the most profitable farming ventures.

When planning for a vegetable farm, you should consider several factors.

Crops: Decide which vegetables to grow. This will depend on the demand and climate. Study the market carefully and adjust production accordingly.

System: Decide which system you will use. Will it be open or protected?

Layout: After deciding on the range of crops to be grown and the systems, the layout of the land must be planned.

Here, care is needed. If the layout is bad, changing it would be costly. Remember too that roads, irrigation pipelines or buildings are involved. If sited wrongly, it would cost you an arm and a leg to move them.

Cropping plan: Work out the rotational plan to be followed and details of cropping. This should be done early enough.
Land preparation: The cost of clearing and preparing land must be considered.

Labour needs: It is very important to plan for labour, especially when manual work is needed.

Fencing and windbreaks: If fencing or wind break is needed, decide on the type and material as well as placement.

Compost area: Decide on the location of the compost area and whether you will need a compost heap or pit. A compost heap/pit is necessary to provide a place for the disposal of organic debris.

It also serves as a source of organic matter for use in the farm. It is generally located close to the nursery in an area unsuitable for crop production.

Nursery siting/area: Lightly shaded areas are preferred or you may build a lath house. Preferably, the nursery area should be at most two per cent of the total land.

You would also need to decide on the type of nursery to use. Will it be a seedbed or containerised? If seedbed, will it be raised, flat or sunken?

Irrigation and distribution method: Decide whether irrigation will be needed. If yes, carefully choose the system and water source.

Carol Mutua
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

ASSOCIATION THAT CAN ADVICE ON BOAR GOATS

Your services and advice are appreciated. Please provide information on where I can get a boar goat for the purpose of breeding.

Dear Murithi
I am not sure which part of the country you reside in. However, you can contact the Dairy Goats Association of Kenya. The Saanen breed, which has a white coat, is found in Homa Bay County around Rodi Kopany.

In Meru, you can get the Toggenburg breed in Nkubu while the Alpine type can be found in Mukurweini, Nyeri County

Agriculture is devolved and the county and sub-county livestock offices have records of dairy goat farmers and their contacts. Feel free to contact them.

Dennis Kigiri,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

VISIT TO LIVESTOCK OFFICES ON GEESE, TURKEY FARMING

Hello. I would like to have information on turkey and geese keeping in Kitengela, Kajiado County. Kindly link me up with a farmer in that area.

Like we said earlier, agriculture is a devolved function and information about farmers in Kajiado can be found at the county and sub-county offices for livestock.

Dennis Kigiri,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

GROWING MUSHROOMS IN HOT BUSIA

I have a small farm and would love to grow mushrooms in a room. I with to know how it can be done and get contacts of anyone involded in such type of farming.

It is good to hear that you have set your mind on agribusiness. Mushroom farming can earn you good money. Butter nut or oyster mushroom are fairly easy to produce.

First, get your spawn and substrates. You can produce spawn using culture or buy ready-to-inoculate spawn.

Producing your own is cheaper in the long run.

Straw or wood can be used as substrate. Straws are preferred because they can be chopped up and spread on a cool surface.

Place the substrate and the spawn on two plastic bags combined 2-3 inches until the bag is half full, close the top and poke holes.

Incubate the material and the growing area at 25 degrees Centigrade. The room should not allow sunlight. Since Busia is hot, you might have to consider buying a fan. Use the dark room light.

When you start noticing tiny pin head mushrooms near the air holes, move to the next step.

High levels of humidity should be maintained in the fruiting room. Temperatures should range from 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Unlike the incubation room, light is need here for at least 12 hours a day. This will shock the mushroom to start fruiting. Again, move the bags to a cool place. Cut the bag to allow mushroom growth to take place.

For Oyster mushroom, harvest the caps when they are fully uncurled. Harvest by twisting the stem off near the growing block.

For more information, contact Victor Kyalo on 0708486882.

Jayo Manyasi Tracyline, Department of Crops, Egerton University

WHERE CAN I GET A MANUAL MILKING GADGET IN NANYUKI?

I am a resident of Nanyuki, Laikipia County, and I’m interested in dairy farming but don’t know where to get a manual milking machine. Please help.

Visit any agrovet in Nanyuki and make inquiries about firms selling such equipment. Get contacts of suppliers, call them and you will get information on prices, availability, ease of use and maintenance.

You can also ask anything else about the machines before making a decision.

Dennis Kigiri, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.



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