The simple secret of kale(Sukuma Wiki) Farming in Kenya 2024
Kelvin Wairimu 
Simple secrets of kale farming
Its actual farming is risky. Just like any other business, it calls for a strong heart, resilience, persistence, and passion. Kale (Sukuma Wiki) farming is one of the simplest farming methods that I usually recommend to farmers as it requires little management skills.
kale (Sukuma Wiki) Farming
Market Review
As long as Kenya continues to remain an “Ugali” nation, the demand for kale will always exist, as will the need for kale (Sukuma Wiki) Farming. Prices are often high during drought seasons from November to March and then fall during rainy seasons due to the high supply and availability of other substitutes like Amaranth.
How profitable is kale farming?
Prices also tend to be low on school holidays as schools absorb the excess. But the good thing with kale farming is that it will always give you a profit, which is determined by the scale of production due to the economics of scale. Done under good management, kale farming is profitable.
How do you farm kales?
Before land preparation, you must choose the best seeds with good germination that will yield high-quality kale.
You can buy quality kales HERE!!
Land Preparation
The first 4-6 weeks of raising seedlings are ample time to carry out both primary and secondary tillage and gather enough manure for planting. Learn how to raise seedlings.
How do I Plant my Kales?
- Ensure you spray Redomil Gold 50gms in 20L of water on the eve of transplanting to prevent dumping off.
- Spacing 45cm by 45cm OR 30cm by 30cm
- Add a handful of cow/sheep manure or more. The more manure, the higher the quality, the faster the growth, and the longer the harvesting time.
- Add 50gms of D.A.P/N.P.K and mix. If a large amount of manure is used, fertilizer is not needed.
- Plant at the centre of the pit
- Water and then drench with thunder 10ml in 20l of water to kill any cutworms or pests in the soil.
How do I manage my Kales?
Keep Top dressing with 50gms of urea per head after every two weeks in every month until the end of harvesting. Add as much animal manure as you can. The more manure you put in, the higher the quality and period of harvest. Manure gives superior results than fertilizer, so there won’t be any need to top-dress with urea.
Alternate spaying of 10ml Thunder or 25ml of Match in 20l of water every time you see signs of aphids, thrips, caterpillars, or diamond black moth (D.B.M) infestation.
If you see any signs of leaf spots, powdery mildew, or downy mildew, you may spray 20ml of Score in 20l of water. Take great care when spraying fungicides, as they can cause stunted growth if used in excess.
Watch out for large yellow spots that turn brown with a bad, rotten smell and often leave a yellow colouring on your hand when touched. This is the black rot infestation. Spray Funguran, a 50% copper-based fungicide, to control it. It’s good to note that Funguran will only be effective if sprayed at the early stages. Black rot, if not treated, can destroy the whole crop in less than seven days. Black rot is rampant in swampy areas and high rainy seasons.
A fungicide cannot heal a dead part of the plant; it can only prevent or control the spread of the disease.
Recommendations
Kale variety of Choice: Collards from Utravetis Ltd
Fertilizer of Choice: Yalla fertilizers
Find out the best kale varieties in Kenya
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