Cabbage Farming in Kenya is one of the most popular and profitable farming venture. The cultivation of cabbage in Kenya is for sale in the local market. Cabbage, along with Sukuma wiki, is the most popular leafy vegetable in Kenya. The cabbage, like kale, cauliflower, and canola, is a member of the Brassica family. It comes in red and green varieties. They are a staple in meals for families and institutions around the country. This is because they are easily available throughout the year.
In Kenya, irrigation methods for growing cabbage include drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and irrigation using rain hose kits. Even moisture is necessary for irrigation-based cabbage production to provide quality heads. The amount of water usable by farmers to cultivate cabbage is independent of the variety of cabbage. Hybrid cabbage cultivars are the finest to cultivate in Kenya, however they need regular watering while they are growing. Successful Kenyan cabbage growers need 25 to 37 liters of water per week to serve the local market.
Cabbage farming in Kenya Conditions
The ideal temperature for growing cabbage is 16-20oC. Head development is limited at temperatures over 25oC. During the growing season, the vegetable requires a lot of water, with 500 mm of rain considered ideal. The planting of Cabbage may be at elevations ranging from 800 to over 2,000 meters. Soils should be well-drained, high in organic matter, and have a high water retention capacity with a ph of 6-6.5. Sweet tasting types include Sugar loaf, Gloria F1 hybrid, and Copenhagen market. Classification based on the market:-
- Large heads, firm white variations, such as drum heads, are processable.
- Urban areas Copenhagen market, golden acre, Sugar loaf, and Gloria F1 hybrid are examples of medium to tiny heads.
- Market in rural areas: medium to big heads, such as drum heads, Copenhagen market, sugarloaf, golden acre, and Gloria F1 hybrid.
- Kitchen gardens: Plant cultivars that have an extended harvest time, such as sugar loaf and Copenhagen market.
Farmers in Kenya water their cabbages using the drip irrigation, sprinkler systems irrigation, and rain hose kits irrigation techniques. From 1/8th to many acres, AQUA-HUB KENYA provides the best irrigation systems for growing cabbage.
How to do cabbage farming in Kenya
In Kenya, there are many types of cabbage; however, Gloria F1 hybrid, Copenhagen market, and golden acre are among the most well-liked. The growing of these veggies should be in nursery beds as seedlings to begin with. For hot and humid climates, plant seeds in elevated or sunken beds, depending. The specifications should be any length and 1 meter width. Before planting, the preparing of the soil should be to a fine tilth. Because cabbage seeds are tiny, the drilling should be into the nursery bed. 300g/ha is the seed rate. When seedlings are between 4-6 weeks old and 10-12 cm tall, replanting should be done.
20 tons of manure per hectare or 1-2 handfuls of manure per planting hole should be applicable to soils with low levels of organic matter. At planting, D.A.P fertilizer at a rate of 200 kg/ha is advisable. Dolomitic limestone should be administered at a rate of 500–1000 kg/ha to acidic soils. Triple superphosphate, double superphosphate, or compound N.P.K fertilizer should be used in place of D.A.P fertilizer on acidic soils.
Installing drip irrigation system on cabbage
Bed making
Your beds will be 30cm high for effective drainage and 1M wide to accommodate three rows of drip lines. As a result of too much standing water, drainage is essential to preventing root rot in cabbage.
Laying drip lines irrigation in Kenya .
Each bed has two rows of drip lines. The distance between each drip line row and the bed’s edge is 20 cm. Each row is 30 cm apart when there are no beds.
Installing sprinkler irrigation system or rain hose irrigation kit
If you choose not to create beds as shown above, then you should space your cabbage rows 60 cm apart. The distance between crops ranges from 30 to 45 cm. To completely cover the area, position your sprinklers or rain hose pipes according to the respective spray radius.
Aqua Hub Kenya provides you with the most ideal irrigation system for your cabbage. Our irrigation systems are of high quality and the most affordable in the market. Contact us through: NAIROBI : 0790719020 | ELDORET : 0759372241
