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Showing posts from June, 2022

Revisiting the Black Solder Farming

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  Black solder fly is the protein menu for animal feeds that are locally bred. The farmers find it cheaper to breed the flies to supplement animal feeds, instead of relying on sylver cyprinid, commonly known as omena. Omena is expensive because it has limited sources. After all, they are extracted from freshwater lakes with animal and human demands. Animal feeds require a balanced diet to boost their growth and protein is the main body-building component that will ensure the animals grow within the expected period.  Animal feeds require 40 to 50 percent protein contents which increases protein demands. The scarcity of protein sources leads to an increase in animal feed prices. Stunted growth leads to losses because the farmer will be tempted to sell the animals at a throw-away price after rearing them longer than expected. Incorporation of relevant business practices is paramount in boosting farm produce, unlike the traditional methods where animal rearing is done as a form ...
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Peanut Farming Business is Worth your Efforts

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                                  Although peanut farming is not a walk in the park, combined efforts and determined spirit have seen several Kenya farmers reap benefits. David Kiptoo from Elgeiyo Marakwet County is one of the farmers making a living from peanut farming and was featured by Smart Farm.  "I harvest 30 bags of unshelled groundnuts per acre," David confessed. However, every venture has its own challenges, and David faced market challenges in the past, but thanks to the value addition program by the county government. David can now earn from Kshs 8,000 to 10 000 from a 90-kilogram of unshelled nuts. He earns up to 40,000 from a bag of processed peanuts, allowing him to reap more benefits.  Farmers in Western Kenya shifted to peanut farming after ditching the sugarcane farming, which had made them experience continuous losses for an extended period despite having sugarcane factories...
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Groundnuts are no longer the Western Region Crop

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       Kenya's western region is known as the hub of peanut produce for decades but the accolade will now shift to other regions in Kenya, thanks to the new peanut seed varieties. Research has proven that some groundnuts varieties such as  ndovu  and  mwangaza  grow best in Taita Taveta due to its resistance to drought since it requires moderate rainfall. According to Kenya News Agency, groundnut farming supported by irrigation has a maximum yield of a ton harvested in an acre of land.        Farmers in Taita Taveta are now privileged to have ready market for their produce after signing contracts with companies that do value addition for peanuts such as Upfield that refines the nuts into a fine butter. The move by the researchers and the ministry of Agriculture in Taita Taveta County will save the company the cost of importing groundnuts from Argentina and India due to peanut shortage in the country. Other counties that ...
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What you need to farm peanut

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1. Adequate land preparation is essential since the soil should have good aeration for the nuts to penetrate and ease harvesting.  2. Planting space should be six to eight inches apart to allow plant growth. Application of calcium and phosphorus is recommended during planting. Planting is done during the onset of rains, but planting is done throughout the year if there is sufficient water for irrigation. 3. Understanding the type of soil, seed, and maturity period is crucial before commencing the planting process. 4. Weeding is done through cultivation to allow support to the plant roots. Weeding should be done 3-4 weeks after germination before the roots  5. From 30-40 days, flowering will be visible before the pods develop. The pods grow under the soil. 6. The maximum maturity period is five months. Leave wilting is a sign of maturity, and the pods should be uprooted. 7. The final stages of harvesting peanuts involve pod separation from the plant, dying, and nut nut-cracking...
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Technological influence on Education

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  Information communications technology has shaped the learning culture by improving the mode of delivery, grade assessment, and presentation of learning materials. In the past, teachers could use the board and chalk to deliver the lesson physically in class. Still, technology has brought online platforms where learners can interact with their tutors from remote locations. The use of manila papers to demonstrate processes, structures, formulas, and shapes has been common in the education system, but technological changes have aided demonstrations on screens. Learners can submit their assignments without physical interactions with their teachers, and gradings are delivered through the same channels. LIS Education network classifies technological artifacts into various categories, including computer hardware and software and CD-ROM and electronic communication media. Communication is aided by devices such as mobile phones for sound, visual, and written since modern mobile and compu...
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What you need to farm peanut

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1. Adequate land preparation is essential since the soil should have good aeration for the nuts to penetrate and ease harvesting.  2. Planting space should be six to eight inches apart to allow plant growth. Application of calcium and phosphorus is recommended during planting. Planting is done during the onset of rains, but planting is done throughout the year if there is sufficient water for irrigation. 3. Understanding the type of soil, seed, and maturity period is crucial before commencing the planting process. 4. Weeding is done through cultivation to allow support to the plant roots. Weeding should be done 3-4 weeks after germination before the roots  5. From 30-40 days, flowering will be visible before the pods develop. The pods grow under the soil. 6. The maximum maturity period is five months. Leave wilting is a sign of maturity, and the pods should be uprooted. 7. The final stages of harvesting peanuts involve pod separation from the plant, dying, and nut nut-cracking...
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Beekeeping Might be Your Next Side-hustle

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Beekeeping is less labor intensive which makes it a source of passive income. The farmer can manage the project single-handedly and may hire temporary workers during honey harvesting seasons. A small space can accommodate several hives which increases the production. Beekeeping uses the available resources to minimize production costs.  Bee farming is capital-intensive when acquiring the hives and preparing the apiary. Major beehives used by the farmers are Langstroth and KTBH. Langstroth is suitable for producing 15 to 22 kilograms per season with minimal beeswax and has firm locks that cannot be slid by honey burgers. The KTBH is suitable for producing more honeycombs, honey, and propolis. Propolis is a medicinal substance to relief for making ointments and throat relievers. Pollen is another valuable product targeted from the beehives for human consumption. Honey is consumed in different forms as juice, spreads, and enhancing peanut butter  flavour. Beeswax is refined for c...
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