No.

102 November, 2013

Cut costs with home-made feeds Dear farmers

The Kenya government's
The cost of poultry decision to introduce a 16 per
feeds has signifi- cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on
cantly gone up fol-
agricultural inputs and basic
lowing the introduc-
tion of 16% VAT commodities is already having
on all animal feeds. serious consequences in the
The increase which agricultural sector.
has come when For the last two months since
there is a decline in the VAT Act, 2013 (CAP 476)
the price of poultry came into effect farmers have
products such as begun to feel the effect; the
eggs that has forced
costs of fertilizer and animal
many farmers to
abandon poultry feeds have gone up, making
keeping. We show it difficult for farmers to buy
farmers how to inputs. For example, a 70kg
make their own bag of chicken feed that
feeds. Page 2 Photo: TOF was selling for Ksh 1900 has
shot up to Ksh 2400, a cost
Biogas can give farmers energy and fertilizer increase of over 26 per cent.
While it is in order for the
TOF-Kenya faces an energy been fully exploited to reduce A few years ago, we featured government to increase tax to
crisis. With the increasing popu- the use of wood fuel in rural the Plastic Tube Digester (PTDs) provide services, the decision
lation, more trees are being cut areas where the demand for fire- system promoted by KARI, to tax agricultural inputs at
down for firewood and char- wood and charcoal now stands which cost only Ksh 5000 to such high margin goes against
coal. Despite the reafforestation at 90 per cent. Close to 2 million instal; a follow-up shows that its own stated goal of improv-
efforts, the numbers of trees rural families in the country most of the units are no longer ing food security in the country.
being planted are far less than own cows. The cow dung can be working due to negligence by
those being cut down to provide easily converted into biogas to farmers. Most of the digesters Most poultry farmers will find it
energy and building materials. provide energy for cooking and got trampled by animals and difficult to sustain their poultry
More than 70 per cent of the lighting while giving the families scorched by the sun making them agribusinesses, unfortunately
rural population use firewood. high quality fertilizer for use to unusable. However, new tech- forcing some to abandon
Similarly, the urban poor and grow crops in the farm. nologies are now emerging that them altogether. In this issue,
the informal sector use charcoal can improve the lifespan of the we demonstrate to farmers
for cooking and the situation is Cost plastic tube digesters (see page how they can make their own
likely to get worse in the comingIt costs about Ksh 75,000 to 5). The low-income farmers will
feeds; which will not only cut
years if no concrete measures install a fixed dome biogas unit. in future be able to benefit from
biogas through such low cost down the cost of poultry pro-
are taken to tap into alternativeThe Kenya Federation of Agri-
sources of energy. technologies. duction, but also ensure that
cultural Producers (KENFAP) the farmers use quality raw
is already assisting farmers to The government has not given
Biogas has many uses put up biogas systems across much attention to promotion of material and in correct propor-
Biogas is a renewable and clean the country under the Kenya biogas as one way of reducing tions that improve the health of
source of energy, but it has not National Domestic Biogas Pro- the destruction of our forests their chickens.
in this issue gramme (KENBIP). They give a while providing a large section Organic farming is increasingly
small subsidy of Ksh18, 750 and of the rural population with a becoming popular among
Growing tomatoes 3 the farmer is expected to meet source clean energy. Most of the many small-scale farmers in
the balance of Ksh 56,250. So far, biogas projects in the country the country. Since we started
more than 10,000 farmers across are supported by NGOs and the producing The Organic Farmer
the country have benefited from private sector. A deliberate policy
the programme, but many others to promote biogas is urgently
thousands of farmers have
are unable to instal the system for needed to support this subsector learned and embraced sus-
lack of funds. as it has a direct impact on the tainable farming methods.
environment. The many questions we have
Maize storage 8
received from farmers across
TOF on the web Maize harvest to go down this year the country clearly show that
theorganicfarmer.org Kenya is faced with the threat of food shortage following many more farmers are eager
mkulimambunifu.org reduced maize production this year. According to a report to know more about organic
facebook.com/ by Egerton University’s Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural
theorganicfarmer farming (see page 7). We shall
Policy and Development, the country's maize production
twitter.com/ is expected to drop from the forecasted 40 to 34 million continue to support them
TOFMagazine bags. The report titled Achieving food supply in Kenya: The with all they need to know on
TOF partners on the web role of selected policy instruments, the institutes predicts this important farming prac-
biovision.ch the country will have only 12 million bags of maize by tice to ensure that as many
infonet-biovision.org January 2014. Farmers should not rush to sell their maize farmers as possible improve
icipe.org now. Thosewho store their maize well stand to gain as it the quality of food they
TOFRadio is clear that maize prices are going to rise next year. More
about the maize crisis will be covered in the December 2013 produce while taking care of
issue. their environment.
TOF P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Tel. +254 20 863 21 86, SMS: 0715 916 136, Email: info@organickenya.org
 No. 102 November, 2013

How to make chicken feeds at home

Chicken feeds account and layers mash making it very doing commercial production.
for more than 80 per cent difficult for poultry farmers to Below we give farmers some
break even. guidance on what they need to
of the cost of poultry
production. Making your As a result, in the last couple of formulate their own feeds:
months we have received many
own feeds cuts down the enquiries from poultry farmers How to prepare layers
costs while increasing in different parts of the country chick mash (1-4 weeks)
your profit margin. who want to know how they Since they are growing, chicks
can make their own feeds to require feed with Digestible
Peter Kamau The increasing cut down costs. Feeds account Crude Protein (DCP) of between
cost of feeds is driving many for more than 80 per cent of 18 to 20 per cent. Amino acids
poultry farmers out of busi- production costs. A farmer who are important additives in all
ness. The problem worsened manages to bring down this cost feeds in order to make a com-
recently when the government to about 50 to 60 per cent stands plete feed for all animals. For
introduced a 16 per cent Value to make good returns in the hybrid chickens the addition
added tax (VAT) on all animal poultry business. In the past, of amino acids is important to 70g of threonine
feeds. This has pushed up the the conventional wisdom has maintain a balanced diet for fast 50g of enzymes
cost of a 70kg poultry feed from been that farmers cannot make growth. The following ingredi-
an average of Ksh 1900 to Ksh their own feeds, and especially 60g of coccidiostat
ents can be used to make a 70kg
2400 (26% increase) for chick to feed exotic breeds of chickens. bag of chick mash: 100g of toxin binder
But we have established that Ingredients
this way of thinking has stifled Making a 70kg bag
efforts of the more enterprising 32.5kg of whole maize
growers feed (4 to 8
farmers who have the needed 9.1kg of wheat bran
skills to make feeds. weeks)
7.5kg of wheat pollard
Some farmers are however Pullets or young layers should
16.3kg of sunflower seed cake be provided with feed having
already formulating their own (or 16.3kg of linseed cake)
high quality feeds on the farm a protein content of between
and do not rely on commer- 2.5kg of fishmeal 16 and 18 per cent. Such feed
cial feeds whose cost keeps 1.75kg of lime makes the pullet to grow fast
rising. Besides, the quality of and prepare for egg laying.
30g of salt
some feeds in the market is Layers’ feed should never be
poor. Farmers using such feeds 20g of premix fed to chickens younger than 18
incur huge losses unnecessar- Additives weeks as it contains calcium that
ily. Farmers who formulate and can damage their body organs
make their own feeds at home 70g of tryptophan
Photo: TOF such as kidneys (they can
save an average of Ksh 840 for 3.0g of lysine
A drum mixer is best in mixing develop kidney stones), which
every 70kg bag of chicken feed, 10g of methionine
feeds which is a great saving for those Continued on page 6

Important tips on feed preparation

  
     reputable companies. If omena cows and goats. by courier to KARI, Naivasha,
feed rations, it is important to is used the farmers must be sure         "#  Tel. 0726 264 032 or 0738 390
do experimental trials, by iso- of its quality; most of the omena farmers working in groups to 715. If you are on email, the
lating a number of chickens, in the open-air markets may be buy some of the ingredients centre can send the results to
feeding them and observing contaminated. such as pre-mixes and amino- you within 24 hours
their performance. If the feed      acids after which they can share
rations are right, the broilers the micronutrients (amino acids) the product according to each Raw material suppliers
will grow fast and layer will first before mixing with the rest one’s contribution. Farmers who need raw materi-
increase egg production (at least of the feed. als for feed making including
1 egg after every 27 hours). Important: To improve on the
       feed quality, farmers making feed additives (pre-mixes and
       advised to use a drum mixer their own feeds should always amino acids) can order them
careful with the quality of feed (many jua kali artisans can make have it tested to ensure the feed from the following companies:
ingredients or raw materials. one). Never use a shovel to mix is well balanced. The KARI
Chickens are very sensitive to feed because the ingredients 1. Essential Drugs Ltd, E.D.L
Centre in Naivasha has modern House, Mombasa Rd, Tel. 020
feeds that contain mycotoxins will be unevenly distributed. feed testing equipment that
which are present in most of the 263 2701/02, 0721 386 604 email:
     !     can test all nutrients and even info@essential-drugs.com
raw materials. Never use rotten source of animal feed in Kenya. the quality of the raw material
maize (maozo) to make chicken Such feed is dangerous as it used. It costs Ksh1000 to test one 2. Tarime suppliers Tel. 0729 099
feed. ends up in human food in eggs, sample. After preparing your 550, City stadium, Nairobi ,
        meat and even milk from dairy feed, take a 1kg sample; send it Email:tarimesuppliers@yahoo.com

The Organic Farmer is an Publisher icipe-African Insect Science for Food Sponsor Biovision, a Swiss-
independent magazine for and Health, P.O. Box 30772, 00100 Nairobi, based foundation for the promo-
the East African farming KENYA, +254 20 863 20 00; icipe@icipe.org; tion of sustainable development,
community. It promotes www.icipe.org
organic farming and sup- based in Zürich, Switzerland.
ports discussions on all aspects of sustainable Editors Caroline Nyakundi, Peter Kamau www.biovision.ch
development. It is published monthly by icipe. The Administrator Lucy W. Macharia, 020 863 21 86
reports in the The Organic Farmer do not necessarily Advisory Board icipe: Sunday
Address The Organic Farmer, c/o icipe,
reflect the views of icipe. P.O. Box 30772, 00100 Nairobi, KENYA; Ekesi, Nguya Maniania; farmer from Wangige:
License This work is licensed +254 738 390 715; 020 863 21 87 Charles Kimani; KARI: Joseph Mureithi; ILRI:
under a Creative Commons info@organickenya.org; Henry Kiara
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. www.theorganicfarmer.org Layout In-A-Vision Systems (k), James Wathuge
 No. 102 November, 2013

You can grow tomatoes all year round

Farmers can use rain shel- windy or cold. Wind spreads
ters to produce tomatoes fungal diseases in tomatoes.
Farmers are therefore advised to
throughout the year and reduce chances of disease out-
earn good income in a breaks by spacing plants widely
short time. (as specified in the box) to reduce
humidity between the plants, a
Caroline Nyakundi Toma- condition that causes late season
toes do not do well in cold or diseases such as early blight and
rainy weather. Most farmers septoria leaf spot, which affect
wait for the June-July cold the leaves, stems and fruit of
season to pass before plant- tomatoes.
ing the crop. This explains the
current increase in supply that
has caused a sharp decline in
Natural pest control in
tomato prices in the market. tomatoes
Tomatoes are delicate to grow Photo: World Vegetable Centre Farmers can use natural
and need moderate tempera- A rain shelter can be used to grow many types of vegetables and fruits methods to protect tomatoes
tures of between 18°C to 24°C to from pests. Natural enemies of
grow well. Although the crops In the wet months like April house where the temperatures most pests can be found in all
can survive in a wide range and May, tomatoes become keep rising and must be checked crops; they include predators,
of temperatures, the plants die expensive in the local market regularly. The shed is made of parasitoids and pathogens.
in temperatures below 10$C because of the long rains in treated steel pipes, wooden or Predators: Predators feed on
and above 38$C. Fruits do not March to May which are fol- bamboo posts. A rain shelter is all stages of the pests i.e eggs,
form below 18$C. Moderate rain lowed by the cold season in cheaper to build as the roof is larvae, pupae, and adult pests.
is also necessary for growing July and August. However, with made of transparent polyethyl- The main predators found in
tomatoes. Long dry periods good timing and proper struc- ene of about 200-micron thick- tomatoes are ladybird beetles,
cause buds and flowers to drop tures, a farmer can be assured ness. This special material con- predatory bugs, hoverflies lace-
off and the fruits to split. But if of a bumper harvest and good trols the temperature, relative wings and predatory mites.
rains are too heavy with high money during this season. humidity and ultraviolet (UV) The predators mainly feed on
humidity, the tomato fruit rots rays light in the shelter. aphids, scales, thrips, moths and
and is prone to fungal and bac- Invest in a rain shelter Rain shelters have been devel- small caterpillars.
terial diseases. Growing tomatoes need a lot of oped by the World Vegetable Parasitoids: Parasitoids are
sun. In warm and rainy days, Centre as a way of producing
the plants are susceptible to dis- immature larvae of some insects
tomatoes when conditions are that live on their hosts killing
eases like Early Blight. Tomato
What farmers production is difficult during the
unfavourable due to excessive
rain and flooding, strong winds
them in the process. Parasitic
wasps are important natural
should know wet season because the exces-
sive rains make it difficult for
and high temperatures, which enemies of leafminers and
 $         seedlings to grow. Low-cost rain significantly reduce yields. Shel- whiteflies. They attack eggs, and
for root, stem, and fruit forma- shelters can be used to protect ters keep tomato leaves dry and larvae of moths and butterflies.
tion, and potassium for flower- crops from excessive rainfall prevent spores of late blight Others such as trichogramma
ing and resistance to diseases. and frequent wet periods when from germinating and infecting feed on the eggs of moths, but-
Get the soil checked to ascertain most diseases thrive. the plants. terflies and fruitworms.
the nutrient levels before plant- What is a rain shelter? It is a The beds in the shelters are Pathogens: Pathogens include
ing. structure that is similar to a raised to minimize flooding and fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
 $      &  ## green house but less expen- water logging and can provide They attack pests naturally in
soils (pH 6.2-6.8) with a lot of sive and only partially covered a protected environment for crop fields. A few of them such
organic matter. When planting, to allow natural ventilation. the production of better quality as Bacillus thurigiensies (Bt) kills
apply well-composted manure Since it is open on the sides, crops over the rainy season. caterpillars and are commer-
from dairy cows, sheep, poultry the temperature increases by Plastic films are used to cover cially available in local agrovet
manure, which provide phos- only 2$-4$C, unlike in a green the sides of the shelter if it is too shops. In tomatoes Bt controls
phorous, potassium, and nitro- fruitworms, it has the advan-
gen. tage of targeting only caterpil-
        lars and not the natural enemies
into the soil 3-4 weeks before that control other pests. After
planting. Don’t spread it on the using Bt, farmers can produce
surface as nutrients will be lost. their own homemade pesticides
by collecting the dead larvae
 *
      
crushing and mixing them with
water logging. The beds should
water. The liquid can be sprayed
be 30 cm high, 2.4 m wide with
onto the crop-the pathogen
a bed top of 1.5 m. Use hand
infects other pests in the crop
hoes to straighten the beds.
and kills them.
 *
 &" #  &
to ensure air flows freely. The NOTE: Farmers who use chemi-
tomato seedlings should be cal pesticides often kill natural
transplanted on rows 80 cm (beneficial) insects leading to an
apart. Leave a space of 50 cm increase in pests in their crops.
between plants in each row. Using natural methods of pest
control protects the beneficial
 /  ##
     insects and reduces pest pop-
pests and diseases and act early Photo: World Vegetable Centre ulation leading to increased
to prevent them from spread- yields and reduced costs of pest
ing. A rain shelter can be opened to regulate temperature
control.
 No. 102 November, 2013

Why every farmer should have a biogas unit

Biogas is a cheap source
of energy that also
reduces the destruction of
trees while producing
high quality organic fertil-
izer that farmers can
use to improve crop
yields.
Peter Kamau Biogas is a gas
produced when bacteria break
down organic material such as
cow dung, farm waste, garbage
and even sewage material in the
absence of oxygen. The gas is a
mixture of methane (60%) and
carbon dioxide (40%). Indeed
methane is what makes natural
gas, which is colourless, odour-
Sketch: SNV
less and burns in a clean way that
does not pollute the environment. product of biogas production is biogas is the health benefits of bacteria in the material to
The methane gas produced slurry, a high quality fertilizer they stand to gain; the firewood convert the organic waste into
when organic material decom- that is higher in nutrients than used in most rural households methane gas. This can only take
poses is captured and used in compost or farmyard manure. is responsible for air pollution place in an environment where
cooking, heating and even light- The slurry (organic fertilizer or and gases that damage the atmo- there is no air (anaerobic diges-
ing in homes. If methane is not biogas manure) has great poten- sphere. Indoor air pollution tion). Every day the farmer has
captured through biogas pro- tial especially in organic farming poses great danger to the health to feed the bacteria with more
duction, a lot of it ends up in systems where crop rotation is of women and young girls who cow dung, kitchen waste and
the atmosphere where it causes practised and nutrients recycled perform most of the household other organic material for the
great damage to the ozone layer, to improve agricultural pro- chores such as cooking and even digestion process and methane
a shield that protects the earth ductivity. Research has shown household sanitation. gas production to continue.
from harmful ultraviolet (UV) that the slurry can increase crop
yields in organic farms by up to A family that has a 6 cubic
rays of the sun. How does biogas work? metre biogas system can meet
30 per cent.
A biogas production system their daily cooking needs,
Protects the environment Clean energy: The majority of uses a simple technology. The use it for lighting and also for
The damage of the ozone layer is farmers in Kenya as in the rest system consists of a large tank other purposes such as heating
a major cause of global warming of Africa uses firewood, charcoal (also known as a digester). chicken brooders or incubators
and climate change. Therefore or crop residue for cooking. In When organic matter such as while saving money that they
by using farmyard manure in Kenya, more than 70 per cent of cow dung and chicken waste is would have used to buy char-
biogas production, farmers help the population relies on wood put into the digester, a number coal or even firewood.
to protect the environment. fuel for their energy require-
ments. This has caused a lot of
A lot of farmyard manure pro-
duced in farms in Kenya often
deforestation and even deserti- Biogas has many advantages
fication across the country. The
goes to waste. If the manure was
increase in population makes it     &   #  potassium are preserved during
used in the production of biogas,
unsustainable to continue with energy (the production of the fermentation process,
many homes in the country
the use of wood fuel as a source organic matter is continuous making them readily available
would have a good source of
of energy. Biogas is therefore the and cannot be exhausted as is to the plants.
energy for cooking, which would
most suitable alternative source the case for fossil fuels such as    & &   
in turn save a lot of trees that are
of energy that farmers in rural petroleum and other sources of ratio of 1:1, biogas manure can
cut down for firewood.
areas need to use to protect their energy). be applied directly to vegeta-
Benefits of biogas environment and increase crop   #  &  #   bles or fruit crops in the shamba.
production. importing petroleum products
Organic fertilizer: Biogas pro-      
duction has many benefits in Human health: The other reason such as kerosene for lighting pesticides (plant extracts) are
organic farming. The main why more people need to use and energy for cooking. mixed with biogas manure and
 $  < =   applied to crops, pests are elim-
biogas is odourless and does inated.
not attract flies.
  anure repels termites How to preserve biogas
and other pests when used in manure
the shamba. 1. Spread it under shade on the
 $  # & flat surface and dry for 3-4 days
growth by up to 50 per cent. depending on the weather.
          2. Put the dried manure in bags
harmful bacteria. The fermen- or drums and store in a dry
tation process in the digester place for future use.
kills organisms that cause plant 3. Farmers can also add biogas
diseases. manure to other material while
 * >    nutrients such making compost to enrich
Photo: KENFAP as nitrogen, phosphorus and further.
A fixed dome biogas system under construction
 No. 102 November, 2013

Choose the type of biogas system you need

The choice of biogas a) The Fixed Dome saves space. The fixed dome
system depends on its Biogas system digester is protected from low
or high temperatures during
cost,durability and The fixed dome biogas unit the night and day- as a result,
ease of maintenance. has an inlet or mixing chamber there is not much fluctuation
Farmers can choose the where cow dung and water are in temperatures making the
system that best suits mixed at a ratio of 1:1. The production of biogas constant.

Photo: KENFAP
their pockets. mixture goes into a dome- The construction of fixed dome
shaped digester chamber with biogas systems is labour inten-
Peter Kamau Any farmer with a fixed or rigid biogas holder sive, which provides employ-
one to three dairy cows housed at the top. When the mixture ment to many people. A well-
in a zero grazing unit can collect reaches the digester, the mate- constructed system has a lifes-
enough cow dung for biogas rial is digested, producing pan of 30-50 years.
production. There must also be biogas that is stored in the Biogas can be used for home
Due to the rising demand for
adequate water for mixing with the fixed dome biogas systems, lighting (above) and for cooking
animal waste, which is fed into the Kenya National Federa- purposes (below)
the biogas digester to produce tion of Agricultural Producers
the gas. All biogas systems have (KENFAP), under the Kenya
three main components: National Domestic Biogas Pro-
Q# < = gramme (KENDBIP) has been
helping farmers in construction
Q of Fixed Dome Biogas Systems
X # <  = across the country. The project
biogas holder. When biogas

Photo: KENFAP
where the by products or production starts, the slurry or pays a subsidy of Ksh 18,750
bio-slurry is ejected from the biogas manure is pushed into and the beneficiary farmers are
digester. the expulsion chamber where expected to meet the remain-
There are four main types of it can be collected and used as ing cost of construction (Ksh56,
organic fertilizer in the shamba. 250). The standard size of Fixed
biogas systems that farmers can
Dome Biogas unit has a capac-
use in their farms for biogas is visible through the verti-
Advantages ity of 6 cubic metres, which is
production. Below, we give the cal movement of the gas drum.
enough for a farmer with 3 or 4
details of each system to enable Since the unit is constructed The gas pressure remains con-
cows. So far, more than 10,000
farmers choose the type they underground, it is protected Kenyan families have benefited stant because it is maintained by
would prefer to instal: from physical damage. It also from the programme, which weight of the gas drum.
ends this year with a possibility Disadvantages
“Biogas has solved my energy problems” for extension next year.
The steel and polyethylene mate-
b) The Floating Drum rial used in making the gas drum
Lucy Wanjiru had for years
is expensive.
relied on firewood cut from Biogas system
trees in her 2-acre farm in If steel is used, corrosion is a
The floating drum biogas problem. Floating drum system
Muruka village in Kandara,
system consists of an under- has a short lifespan.
Muranga County. Occasion-
ground digester and a moving
ally she would buy LPG gas to
gas holder. The gas holder floats c) Plastic Tube Digester
supplement her energy needs.
directly above the digester or
But last year she visited a in a separate water tank. The
Biogas system
neighbour who had installed a average size of a floating drum is The Plastic Tube Digester system
fixed dome biogas plant in her between 5-15 cubic metres which is made of an elastic (that can
homestead. When she observed can produce adequate gas for use expand and contract) polyeth-
the way it was working, she in small and medium size farms. ylene tube made of two coats of
was very impressed by the Crop yield tripled A floating drum made of high 300 microns in thickness.
system. Her husband James
Mwangi visited Ecosun Invest- Besides the biogas, Wanjiru density polyethylene material is Advantages
ments, a biogas contractor in says the biogas manure is better durable but expensive. The Plastic Tube Digester (PTD)
Thika Town. He made a down than the farmyard manure that Advantages is a cheap and simple method of
payment and within 7 days, she used before. “Our banana
yields have tripled since we The system is simple to operate. producing biogas. The tubes are
the biogas system had been The volume of gas produced affordable and available locally.
installed in their homestead. started using biogas manure, However they have a short
and they are also bigger in size. lifespan of between 2-5 years.
Saved trees I no longer buy DAP and CAN Another disadvantage is that the
Since then, her energy problems chemical fertilizers,” she adds. digesters have low gas pressure
have been solved. The system Her husband, James Mwangi, and are easily damaged by UV
came complete with a two- says that they intend to go into rays from the sun. They can also
burner cooker and gas metre vegetable and fruit production tear easily if people and animals
that helps her monitor the gas using the high quality biogas step on them.
levels as she cooks, “It has been manure.
Cost
a great relief to me and my Contact Ecosun Investments Tel A standard size of PTD with a
family. 0724 394 699, Thika for biogas capacity of 10 to 16 cubic metres
I no longer cut down my trees installation. KENFAP KENBIP Pro-
gramme also has a list of certified that can produce about 2.4
for firewood and I save a lot of cubic metres of biogas costs Ksh
biogas contractors throughout the
money that I would have spent country. To get the list, call 020 600 42,000 (Interested farmers can
buying cooking gas. With my 83 324, 020 6000355 0721 203 344, call Pioneer Technologies Tel.
8 cows I have more gas than I 0722 360 699. TOF can also email Feeding slurry into a floating 0722 552 505).
need,” she says. the list to interested farmers. drum biogas system Continued on page 6
 No. 102 November, 2013
Continued from page 2 Preparing chicken feeds
interfere with egg production Broiler starter chick
and also shorten their lifespan. mash (1-4 weeks)
Grit (sand) should be provided
to growers that are not on free 40kg of whole maize
range to aid in digestion. 12kg of fishmeal (or omena)
14kg of soya bean meal
Making a 70kg bag of
4kg of lime
layers’ mash (18 weeks)
70g of premix
Layer feed should contain a
Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) Amino acids
content of between 16-18 per 35g of lysine
cent. The feed should contain 35g of threonine
calcium for the formation of
eggshells (Laying hens that do Preparing broiler
not get enough calcium will
use the calcium stored in their
finisher feed (70 kg)
own born tissue to produce egg- 10kg of whole maize
shells). Layer feed should be 16.7kg of maize germ
introduced at 18 weeks. 13.3kg of wheat pollard
Ingredients Photo: TOF
10 kg wheat bran
34kg of whole maize Kepha Maina (right) a poultry farmer buys feed ingredients from a 6 kg of cotton seed cake
12kg of Soya supplier in Nakuru town. Maina makes his own poultry feeds
4.7kg of sunflower cake
8kg of fishmeal Formulating a 70kg bag the broilers grow, their energy 3kg of fishmeal 2kg of lime
10kg of maize bran, rice germ or of broiler feed requirements for the deposit of 3.4kg of soya meal
wheat bran fat increase and their protein 40g of bone meal
Broilers have different feed
6 kg of lime requirements decrease. They
requirements in terms of energy, 10g of grower PMX
Additives proteins and minerals during dif- therefore require high protein
content in their starter rations 5g of salt
175g premix ferent stages of their growth. It
is important that farmers adapt than in the grower and finisher 5g of coccidiostat
70g lysine rations. Broilers should have feed 5g of Zincbacitrach
feed rations to these requirements
35g methionine for maximum production. Young that has between 22 -24 per cent
70kg threonine broilers have a high protein DCP. The following guidelines In the next issue we show
requirement for the develop- farmers how to feed chickens
can help the farmer to make the
35g tryptophan for optimum production.
ment of muscles, feathers, etc. As right feed at each stage of growth:
50g toxin binder

Continued from page 4 Biogas systems Farmers can domesticate stingless bees
d) Flexigas Following our articles on sting-
less bees, 12 farmers have called
Biogas system TOF requesting to know if it is
Flexigas biogas system is one of possible for icipe to help them
the latest Plastic Tube Digesters acquire stingless bees for sting-
in the market. The system uses less bee honey production. We
a plastic tube digester housed would like to advise that it is
in a greenhouse to protect it possible to domesticate stingless
from the effect of the sun’s ultra Photo: TOF bees in their own farms if they
violet (UV) rays that damage The flexi gas biogas (above) acquire the right management
the plastic. The greenhouse also system is housed in a green- skills.
reduces the risk of damage from house to protect it from the sun Stingless bees live in their
animals or people. Dominic and prolong its lifespan(below) natural habitats; these include
Wanjihia, the director of Biogas forests, grasslands, termite hills
International, the company that and homesteads as long as they Joshua Kimwele harvests stingless
markets the system says that can get the right forage and bee honey in Mwingi
unlike other biogas systems, the environment. According to Dr.
digester is very efficient in utili- Kiatoko Nkoba of icipe’s Com- mopolitan in nature and can be
sation of waste material because mercial Insect Programme (CIP), domesticated in many parts of
the greenhouse helps to main- stingless bees can be domesti- the country. The CIP programme
tain the temperatures at between cated anywhere in the tropics. has stingless beekeepers in
27°C and 34°C, which speeds up For example icipe has been able Mwingi and Kakamega forest
the digestion and biogas produc- to keep a number of stingless who can train any farmer inter-
tion process. “1 cow is enough to bees at the Duduville campus ested in stingless beekeeping. The
produce 1 cubic metre of biogas in Nairobi for experimental pur- farmers are trained on colony
in a day using the system,” he poses. Although the bees are fed division, which means that they
says. A 5 cubic metre tube system Photo: TOF at the CIP laboratories, they still can assist others to divide a
costs Ksh 40,000 inclusive of the oping biogas systems that heat forage in the vegetation around colony and transfer it anywhere
gas burner, piping and installa- chicken brooders and even run the campus to collect pollen for in the country. Farmers can get
tion while a 7 cubic metre system machinery such as chaff cutters honey production. in touch with the following two
inclusive of all the accessories and on the farm. Farmers interested Although some of the species stingless beekeepers:
installation costs Ksh 55,000. The in the system can contact the are difficult to domesticate, Mark Livaha 0703 693 245 (Kaka-
system has a lifespan of 10 years. company Biogas International on others such as Meliponula ferri- mega forest), Joshua Kimwele 0713
The company is already devel- 0724 316 992. genea (reddish brown) are cos- 872 014.
 No. 102 November, 2013
Organic farming a healthy way of food production
Isn’t organic farming just an old- situation, organic produce has
fashioned way of doing things? to be kept separately.
Organic farming may appear Organic food clearly
as an old-fashioned production
system within the local context. labelled
A closer examination however There has to be a distinction
reveals a deeply scientific based between the organic and non-
production system based on an organic produce. It is important
appreciation of natural systems to refer to the standard for the
and processes. To appreaciate stipulated distance. There must
the beauty of organic farming be a clear sign showing where
in the modern highly intensive the organic produce corner
agriculture, one must be con- is. If the produce is stored in
verted both in mind, soul and some form of a package (sack
heart to appreciate the role of or container), the package must
organic farming. An increased also bear the words "organic
individual awareness and con- Photo: TOF product."
sciousness on what one eats
and how the food is produced, Process organic food
brings a general appreciation of
organic agriculture.
The organic production process sional advisory services to all separately
is very rigorous and is based on members and stakeholders in A wire mesh can be used to
Organic produce is total fulfilment of specific stan- the areas of production, techni- show the separation between
dards. The standards stipulate cal training, marketing, certifica- the different products. An
higher in quality in detail what should be done tion, lobbying, advocacy and the organic product should not be
Is organic produce better than and what should not be done entire organic agriculture value transported with a non-organic
conventional produce? in the production, processing, chain. It seeks to promote the product. In organic language
preservation and packaging of organic agriculture movement this is referred to as 'separa-
Work done in Egypt by Sekem organic products. The standards in Kenya to evolve and become a tion in space'. When processing,
Group, a leading organic indicate what food additives to highly beneficial and integrated organic produce is either pro-
exporter indicates that organic use, preservatives and packaging industry with direct impacts on cessed before the conventional
food is of higher quality than materials. The organic farmer is the environment, poverty reduc- produce. If organic food has to
conventional food. Organic food required to demonstrate compli- tion, employment and wealth be processed after processing
has on average a higher nutri- ance with each step. A third party creation. the non-organic food, then the
tional value, containing espe- not involved with the either the machinery should be washed
cially vitamins C, magnesium, organic operator or the certifica- Do not mix organic and clean before the organic process-
iron and phosphorous. Also tion body that sets the standards ing is done. This is known as
organic crops have more phyto- inspects the compliance system
conventional produce
'separation in terms of time'.
nutrients, which occur naturally to gain acceptance. Such due dili- Do I have to store organic food
in plants and protect them from gence in the system will eliminate differently? No GMO material
disease and pests. any contamination of the system. The organic standards stipulate Can organic food contain geneti-
in detail how to store organic cally modified (GM) elements?
No harmful substances KOAN coordinates products or food. Organic food
Organic food contains fewer should be stored separately from Organic standards do not allow
organic agriculture the presence of Genetically
food additives. Certain addi- other non-organic food to avoid
tives and food ingredients have Is there an organic "watchdog” contamination and maintain the Modified Organisms (GMOs)
been linked to certain disorders in Kenya? integrity of organic production, in production, processing and
like heart diseases, osteoporo- The Kenya Organic Agriculture either in the store, during trans- preservation of organic food. All
sis, asthma, and neurological Network (KOAN) is the Organic portation and processing. This GMO material or elements are
disorders. These are prohibited watchdog in Kenya. KOAN is is especially important where prohibited in organic agricul-
in organic processing. Only the National coordinating body parallel production (this refers ture.
around 30 additives are per- for the organic agriculture in to where both organic and non
mitted in organic produce (and Kenya. KOAN’s mandate is organic production operations No chemicals
only where most necessary) to coordinate, facilitate and are taking place at the same Can organic farmers use pesti-
compared to more than 500 in provide leadership and profes- time) is taking place. In such a cides and other chemicals?
conventionally produced foods. Organic standards do not allow
Organic foods contain fewer the use of synthetic fertilizers,
nitrates (common in chemical pesticides, herbicides in crop
fertilizers). Nitrates can be con- and livestock production. In
verted into more harmful sub- case an organic farmer for one
stances that have been linked reason or another ‘breaks’ the
to cancer in animals. Mineral rules or circumstances calls for
fertilization practices are known the use of the chemicals (such
to result in much higher nitrate as in major disease or pests out-
levels in non-organic vegetables. break because no other control
mechanism was available),
Organic standards then the farmer is required to
ensure food is safe withdraw the animals from the
organic certification scheme for
Does organic food carry greater
a stipulated period of time.
risks of food poisoning?
The different organic certifica-
The likelihood of food poisoning Photo: TOF tion schemes have clear rules
through organic food is highly governing what chemicals to
eliminated or not possible at all. Women group members harvest indigineous organic vegetables use and what not to use. TOF
 No. 102 November, 2013

Good storage practices that

protect cereals from pest damage 0717 551 129 / 0738 390 715

Poultry nipples for sale: I sell

poultry nipple drinkers. Deliv-
Farmers are currently harvesting maize across the country. Much of the harvest is ery can be done in Nairobi
likely to go waste due to poor storage methods. Therefore farmers need to know how Eddy's Poultry Nipples: Call
they can protect their harvest. Below we provide some measure the farmers can put 0753636668.
in place to preserve their cereals without using chemicals. Charcoal briquetting machines
for sale: We make commercial
JBM Kangethe Farmers can charcoal briquetting machines.
take various measures to protect The electrical machines recycle
their grain from being destroyed farm waste into clean charcoal
by pests. One way is is to ensure fuel for domestic or commercial
both the store and grain are use. Prices range from Ksh
clean and dry. Other important 40,000 to Ksh 110,000. Moses
ways are: Gachanja, 0722281127.
Use the right varieties and Eggs needed: I need 300 eggs 3
harvest early: Plant early matur- times a week. I am in Nairobi.
ing maize varieties in dry areas Please call 0710911026.
and late maturing types in areas Incubators for sale: I have a 48
with good supply of rainfall. egg incubators for sale @ ksh23,
This ensures that harvesting is 800. Call 0722365816
done during the dry season. Photo: TOF Robert Muraya
Crops should be harvested early Most farmers incur huge losses due to lack of proper maize storage Organic vegetables needed: I
to prevent infestation of the
Maintain hygiene: To prevent control pests in grain without use am looking for organic vegeta-
grain in the field.
damage to stored products, of chemicals. bles for sale. Call me on
Good site selection: Build your 0723169036. Prince Steve.
keep the stores and the sur- Use of local plant extracts: There
grain store in a well-drained
rounding areas clean. Before are many plant extracts that can Dairy cow needed: I am looking
ground so that the building
storing the grain, check for be used to control insect pests in for a good dairy cow, Kiambu.
does not get flooded by runoff
leaks, splits, cracks and repair stored grains. Farmers can make Email details to johngitere@
water during heavy rains or take
them. Also ensure that the floor use of local leaves and twigs of gmail.com
in too much moisture from the
and the walls are easy to clean neem or African marigold (have Egg incubator for Sale: A 528
ground.
as insects hide in small holes insecticidal properties), which egg incubator (fully automatic)
Sorting grains: Farmers can found in walls. Do not mix the can control insect pests when @Ksh 100,000 Call us now on
reduce losses if they store clean previous harvest with the new 0724702512
grain. Insects can be removed by harvest.
hand when present. It is an accu- Male turkey needed: I'm in
Proper drying of grain: This Kapsabet area. I’m in need of a
rate method but time consuming.
prevents germination of the male turkey including any breed
The store should be clean as
seed, growth of bacteria and of ducks. Call me on 0715036248,
insects are always there together
mould. Grain that is not proper- David Kiprop.
with moulds and spores. Take
properly dried has a high risk
care of broken grains, pieces of
of developing mycotoxins like
straw and dirt as they increase
chances of grain insect damage.
aflatoxins which are dangerous Information is Power!
to humans and animals. The Dial *285# to join thousands
Unthreshed products: Husks moisture condition of the store
or pods offer some protection of farmers on iCow who are
is influenced by the relative increasing their farm productiv-
against insect attack. Shelling humidity of the air outside. ity and reducing farming risks by
maize and other grains reduces
Regulation of temperature: increasing their Power!
pest infestation.
A big difference between day iCow offers you a world of
Control the moisture content: and night temperatures can trusted agricultural information
The moisture content of the result in dew formation over delivered directly to your mobile
kernels inside the unhusked the stored grain every morning, phone.
cob should not be high when making the grain wet. The grain We offer:
put into the storage store. If the becomes caked and mouldy.
A metal silo for grain storage  $      
unhusked cobs are too moist, Minimize the temperature fluc-
poultry
they will get mould quickly. The tuation through shading and
husks provide favourable con- insulation of the grain store. Q##  Q 
mixed with grain.
ditions for mould growth. Dry Insects multiply faster in high Q  # &#  `
Minerals: Fine sand, lime, char- Register your cow, heifer or calf
the grain well before storing. temperatures. Hot spots develop coal and ash have been used
inside the grain encouraging in the calendar and we will walk
to protect stored grain from with you and ensure you rear the
moulds and insect activity. This insect damage. The minerals are animal to reach it’s full potential.
encourages mould growth. mixed with the threshed grain.
Tune into KBC Radio, Taifa
The use of air tight storage: Air In Kenya, some farmers mix Kiswahili every Friday @ 8.00 pm
tight storage containers include wood ash with grain to preserve to 9.00pm and every Wednesday,
oil drums, plastic bags, gourds it. Every four months the sacks 6.30 pm to 7.00 pm for Animal
and woven baskets lined up with should be opened and new ash Health, Animal production and
clay underground pits. Air tight added as more ash sinks to the range management training. Dial
containers limit the amout of air bottom of the sack. Maize and *285# for FREE iCow Updates
available to insects, which die due beans can be stored this way on this and other events and pro-
to lack of oxygen. for a period of up to five years. grams!
g
Use of non-chemical control (Read TOF No. 101, October 2013
methods: There are other for more information on grain
methods that can be used to storage)