theorganicfarmer

Forage grasses to grow for your dairy cattle

Forage grasses to grow for your dairy cattle By David Njenga Cultivating forage crops on the farm is a cost-effective approach for feeding dairy cattle as feeding cost constitute about 70-80% of the cost of production. There are different varieties of fodder crops and this article focuses on grasses that farmers can grow highlighting optimal […]

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Principles of agroecological management of maize pests

By Grace Kinyanjui Maize is targeted by several pests, which cause significant yield losses. The most damaging pests are the caterpillars (larvae) of Fall armyworm and other night-flying moths such as African armyworm, cutworms, and African maize stalk borer. Other important pests include spotted stem borers, maize beetles, earworms, leafhoppers (vectors of maize streak virus),

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Use the Right Beans & Maize Seed Variety for Better Yields

                                    Maize and Beans are the two most common crops in the country, in this issue we feature some of the Maize and Beans Variety suitable for the short rain season. The key to realizing better yields starts with the selection of the right seed for your region as the quality of seeds determines

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Silage Making

SILAGE MAKING By Dr Jesse Kagai To make silage, you need to have excess fodder during the season of feed abundance to be used in the season of feed scarcity. Silage making has a cost involved and can only be cost-effective if what is being preserved is in excess of what is being consumed by

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Molo farmer discovers Mazao Flourish; beckons farmers to try it out

My name is Rahab Njeri, a farmer based in Molo. I grow crops such as vegetables, potatoes, green peas and maize. In the past, I would use three bags of synthetic fertilizers per acre during planting and two bags per acre for top dressing, which is very costly. High cost of farm inputs is a

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Understanding Newcastle Disease

By Dr Ann Wachira Newcastle disease (ND) affects birds globally, and chicken are particularly vulnerable. It is caused by a virus called avian paramyxovirus serotype type 1 (APMV-1). There are five types of APMV-1 strains, which are categorized based on their strength in chicken: a) strong and affecting organs (viscerotropic velogenic), b) strong and affecting

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How Farmer – processor radio conversations became the key in unlocking banana markets access potential.

How Farmer – processor radio conversations became the key in unlocking banana markets access potential. The small-scale farmer in Kenya is today plagued with more challenges than ever. Even after the farmer navigates successfully the challenges of climate change, declining soil fertility, proliferation of fake seeds and other input, combat with pests and diseases and

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TOF Magazine Issue 213 June – July 2024 Edition

The wet season is here and as the crops thrive in the farm, we must be prepared to take care of them through timely scouting for any occurring pests and applying techniques that effectively manage them without contaminating the crops or the environment.In this edition we feature a comprehensive article on Integrated Pest management (IPM)

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