Success in bulb onion farming is indicated by high yields of above 10 tons per acre. Unfortunately, only a few farmers reach this production. This, in most cases, is a loss to farmers.
High-end success in bulb onion farming calls for good management from land preparation to harvesting. Harvesting below a ton in one acre is easy as harvesting 20 per acre.
How to prepare land for bulb onion farming
Bulb onions require deeply ploughed fertile soils with good drainage. Loam soils or sandy loam are the best. Bad ploughing and poor soils like clay or soils with hard pads lead to slow uptake of nutrients by bulb onions leading to the growth of thin bulbs.
Water absorption and nutrient uptake are often hard in soils with hard pads and can only be corrected before planting. Adding at least 20 tons of farmyard manure with deep ploughing is always recommended before planting. This softens the soil and improves fertility and water retention ability.
The farm should have enough water for irrigation in the dry season. Insufficient water leads to bulb abortion, stunted growth and low yields of poor quality. Drip irrigation is recommended though basin irrigation also works.
Best bulb onion variety
Before planting, the farmer is advised to carry out market research to establish the best variety. The best bulb onion variety must have good shape, colour, pungency, high yield, fast maturing and good shelf life after harvesting.
Some of the best varieties include Neptune, African Red and Red Coach. The farmer can decide to raise his seedlings or outsource.
How to plant bulb onion seedlings
The onion farm should be irrigated before and after transplanting. 8cm by 15cm is the best planting spacing for good-sized bulb onions. A smaller spacing leads to a smaller size bulb onion while a bigger spacing gives large-sized bulb onions.
Weeding should be carried out after 3-4 weeks of transplanting depending on weed size. Selective herbicides can be used though they have a tendency of lowering production.
Weeding should be done in dry weather to prevent the spread of fungal diseases.
Fertilizer application
Despite using manure, topdressing is recommended for high yield. Topdress with 150kgs of DAP fertilizer two weeks after transplanting to boost roots and leafs development.
Bulb formations start in the second month. Topdresing with 150kg N.P.K 17.17.17 enhances uniform bulb formation in the farm. Adding 150 kg of CAN fertilizer in the third month enhances bulb expansion.
Good irrigation with proper feeding with the right fertilizers at the right time is the secret to a high yield of above 10 tons per acre.
Pests and Diseases management
Purple blotch, downy mildew and Rust are the common diseases in bulb onion farming.
Rust is a fungal disease that causes oranged raised spots on the leaves while downy mildew causes light green to yellow angular spots on upper leaves surfaces. Affected leaves may turn yellow and die off from the tip downward.
Most of these fungal diseases are spread by spores carried by wind, irrigation water or splashing rain. Spraying with Infinito fungicides will help in controlling these fungal diseases.
Thrips are the worst pests in bulb onion farming. They are common in dry seasons where they sack water on onion leaves in the second month of transplanting. If not controlled, thrips can cause over 30% yield loss.
Early spraying with Match, Thunder, Escort or Belt insecticides helps in controlling and preventing thrips in onion fields.
Bulb onion harvesting
Fast-maturing varieties under good management mature within 90-105 days of transplanting.
Onion curing is done first by bending onion leaves around the neck. Good curing allows leaves and neck to dry improving bulb onion shelf life.
Sorting follows where bulb onion is graded based on size and quality from Extra large size to smallest size or ‘un-gradded’.
Cost analysis of farming bulb onion in one acre
Cost analysis often varies depending on location, management expertise, yield, market, availability of water for irrigation, onion variety and more.
Estimated Cost of farming bulb onion in one acre
| Item | Est. Cost “sh” |
| Seeds | 30,000.00 |
| Fertilizers+Manure | 60,000.00 |
| Chemicals | 30,000.00 |
| Labour | 40,000.00 |
| water | 5,000.00 |
| Other costs | 20,000.00 |
| Total Cost | 185,000.00 |
Frequent Asked Questions FAQ
- Which is the best month to plant onions in Kenya? February targeting May – June harvest when the market is high.
- How much does it cost to farm onions per acre in Kenya? Between 150,000 -200,000 shillings depending on management.
- How many tons of onions per acre in Kenya? Under good management, an acre can produce between 10-20tons. If poorly managed, harvesting less than 1 ton is also a possibility.
- How long do onions take to grow in Kenya? 3-4 months depending on variety and weather
- Where can I sell my onions in Kenya? The mass markets and supermarkets are the best options
As an onion farmer ,are you harvesting above 10tons? Reach out us and maximise your production today.
About Post Author
Leave a Reply