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

                                 

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 within their locality. According to World Vision, Beatrice Machani, one of the empowered farmers, is reaping benefits since peanuts take a short period to mature and can be planted twice per year.

Pauline Mwita from Migori County is a happy peanut farmer making 15 000 to 20 000 per bag from her 15-acre farm after selling to business people in Nairobi. The Seeds of Gold recorded that Pauline can harvest up to 197 bags from the farm, giving her 2 million. 

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