Revisiting the Black Solder Farming

Image
  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 ...
2 comments

Beekeeping Might be Your Next Side-hustle

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 candles, and skin care products. Large-scale bee farmers get extra income by leasing the bees to fruit farmers during pollination periods. Queen rearing is a business where the specialists rear the colonies for sale to starters. 

Bee-keeping equipment includes the hive, bee suit, smoker, catcher box, hive tool, and bee brush. Getting peak colony strength during nectar seasons is the secret to increasing honey production. Thus, the continuous availability of flowers throughout the year is essential for constant honey production. The citrus, banana, acacia, Kei apple, jacaranda, eucalyptus, sunflower, coffee, and Cordia africana in bloom are the major nectar plants. The harvesting months include July, August, September, November, December, January, February, and March. Harvesting after the flowers wither is also another sign.

Beekeeping Benefits

  • Bees support the pollination of crops on the farm to boost yields.
  • Beekeeping practices promote environmental conservation.
  • Beekeeping triggers tree-planting initiatives.
  • Bee farming does not discriminate age or gender
  • It does not require much land to keep the hives.
  • Honey, propolis (resin) and beeswax production.


Recommended Beehive in Kenya for Beginners
Apiary preparation is vital in increasing honey production. Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTBH) has the potential to collect up to 40 kilograms of honey in one season. the hive provides easy management and harvesting. The recommended size and measurements for both sides should be considered. Waxing on top bars is essential to attract and guide the bees to developing straight combs. Wood selection and preparation is essential in attracting the bees. the construction should be done appropriately to discourage the honey buggers. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Technological influence on Education

Image
  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...
Read more

What you need to farm peanut

Image
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...
Read more