At the heart of Mau-Narok in Nakuru county sits the 10-acre farm of Michael, a determined farmer who has found a solution to the meager earnings, from growing some of the most profitable crops.
His farm is divided into portions, with each hosting different crops. He grows potatoes and barley on a 2-acre piece of land each, while 1½ an acre of his farm is under peas and a portion under wheat.
”I’m just trying to get the right market. If potatoes fail me, ill depend on the barley; if barley won’t work, ill switch to peas,’’ said Michael in an interview With Aim Agriculture.
Michael notes that growing different crops keeps him balanced in case one crop descends in market value.
”Right now, the price of carrots has really dropped. If I had planted carrots on my entire land, I would be counting losses,’’ he said.
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In potato farming, the farmer says the only way to ensure enhanced yield is by planting first-grade seeds. He says that with first-grade seeds, a farmer can harvest up to 150 bags per acre, adding that the more you re-plant seeds, the more the yield keeps on dropping.
”Since this is grade one seeds, then you should space adequately to ensure that the potatoes absorb sufficient nutrients to grow in large sizes,’’ he added.
Michael emphasized the need to use the right fertilizer when growing potatoes. He uses 100 kgs of planting fertilizer per acre. He uses the Falcon ETG Fertilizer to plant his potatoes, and after a month, he top dresses with Falcon CAN.
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”Don’t get any fertilizer that would frustrate you. Using the right fertilizer also prevents my crops from being affected by the harsh cold weather.’’
He sprays foliar twice at flowering and at the vegetative stage. In a year, Michael plants three times since his produce takes three months to reach the market stage.
His current produce is nearing harvesting, and he expects to harvest 300 bags from his 2-acre potato farm.
A bag of potatoes is currently retailing at Sh2000, meaning he expects Sh500,000, equivalent to a monthly income of about Sh160,000 from potatoes alone.
For barley, he expects to harvest 50 bags from his 2-acre farm. A bag of barley is currently retailing at Sh4,200, meaning he will get Sh210,000 before deductions.
He says the cost of production for potatoes is way higher compared to barley. His total cost of production for barley is Sh70,000.
