Things you must do before keeping dairy goats and bees

MY CASSAVA PLANTS ARE YELLOWING
I ventured into cassava farming last year. They have been doing well until

last month when the leaves turned yellow and they are now withering. What should I do?

Rev Avudiko Geoffrey

Your crop has been affected by cassava mosaic virus, whose symptoms include yellowing and mottling of leaves and eventually withering, wilting and death. This is more serious in the Lake Basin, Coast and Eastern regions. You most likely used virus infected planting materials. There is no immediate control of viral diseases, except using tissue culture planting materials, which are available from Kari and other approved stockists. Seek advice from extension officers or any Kari station near you.
Bernard Towett,
Crop Science Department
Egerton University

BOREHOLE DRILLING
I want to ask how I can get people who dig wells. My shamba is at Matuu, Tala.
Farmer, Kangundo

There could be many in Machakos County. In Nakuru, try Bontana Company, Chris Komen 0722382139, email info@bonboreholes.com

I WANT TO KEEP BEES
I am currently working and I own pieces of land though small, 40×80 in Thika and two more at Kamulu 50×100. I have been wondering what I can do with them. Can I do bee keeping on both?

Farmer

Your farms are too small and bee keeping may not be a viable project because they require a lot of trees and flowers to collect nectar for making honey. We advise you to construct greenhouses because you can earn good income if you grow onions and tomatoes.

Prof Paul Kimurto, 
Crop Science Department
Egerton University

GOAT FARMING

I am interested in dairy goat farming and would like more information before venturing into the business. I am from Gatanga, a tea and coffee zone in Murang’a County. In particular, I would like to know the following:
1. Is there a ready market in the county or elsewhere?
2. Where can I buy the goats and are there different breeds related to the climate or production?
3. What are the prices for the goats and milk?
4. What is the ideal economic number of goats to have? I was considering starting with 10.
5. Is there an existing dairy goat farm around Nairobi where I could visit and learn?
6. What feeds are ideal and what acreage is required? I have close to two acres available for planting the feeds.
Moses Nganga

Gatanga is in the Kenya highlands and, therefore, has climatic conditions suitable for dairy goat production. Since all the common dairy goats found in Kenya have their native origin in temperate countries, they can generally do well in the highlands.

Under good management, the goats can produce between four to six litres per day. Market sources are hospitals, hotels and individuals. Based on your location, surrounding urban population and awareness of nutritive and medicinal value of the goat milk, the business is good for you. The price per litre varies depending on quantity and customers’ demands.

Sources of dairy goats in Kenya are varied depending on the breed. However, the common ones are Dairy Goats Association of Kenya for the Alpine breed, Meru Goats Breeders Association for Toggenburg and Nyanza Dairy Goat Farmers Association for Saanen breed. Common feed resources for dairy goats include feeds fed to dairy cattle but include more fodder trees. To estimate the number of dairy goats you can raise on your land, consult extension officers. But generally, about two dairy goats will be a good start as you gain experience.

Wangui, James Chege. Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University. prejaw@gmail.com

I am a farmer at Ndumberi in Kiambu County. I want to keep dairy goats but it has been a challenge to get them. Being 20km from the capital, I can only imagine that market is not a big challenge, perhaps. Please assist me in the new venture by directing me to a farm that does it.
Karuga

Common sources of dairy goats, depending on the breed, are Dairy Goat Association of Kenya for the Alpine breed, Meru Goats Breeders Association for Toggenburg and Nyanza Dairy Goat Farmers Association for Saanen breed. It is advisable you consult with the respective associations to purchase a registered dairy goat.

Wangui, James Chege. Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton university. prejaw@gmail.com

MAKING OWN DAIRY FEEDS
Please tell me what ingredients I need to make a complete dairy cow ration. I already have an ample supply of lucerne, napier grass, dry maize stalk and mineral salt. I would

also need the quantities or proportions of added ingredients to make a complete dairy cow ration.
Farmer

My understanding is that you want to make a Totally Mixed Ration (TMR). To make such a ration, it is wise to utilise feed ingredients that are readily available as much as possible. You also need to incorporate concentrates while ensuring that the ration is composed of between 16 and 18 per cent crude protein (usually the most limiting nutrient). The following is an example of a TMR for a 400kg lactating cow; 20kg napier grass, 8kg maize stover, 2kg wheat bran, 2kg dairy meal and 100g high phosphorous mineral salt.

Ronald K. Kimitei,

Department of Animal Sciences,

Egerton University

DISEASE THAT KILLED MY RABBITS
I read the story of David Githaiga and as a rabbit farmer, I want to talk to him more on the disease and the feeding.
Please provide me with his number.
Harrison Ndwiga
EDITOR: Githaiga is available on 0722923917.

ETHANOL FROM CASSAVA

My name is Davidson Kirori from Busia County. I have been a cassava farmer and I want your assistance on marketing the produce. Currently, I have more than 2,000 stems, which are ready for harvest. Kindly link me with Basi Mwangaza Group.

EDITOR: Contact Patience Dhahabu on 0720906891.

yellow passion fruit farmer

I read with a lot of interest the story on Charles Mundia of Gatundu, who is growing yellow passion fruits. I had a colleague at the East African Packaging Industries prior to 2006 by that name. I am not sure if it is this Charles. If he is the one, I would want to congratulate him for this wonderful and encouraging success.

Kenneth Nyorani

I would like to get the seedlings and seeds of sweet yellow passion fruit. I will like to plant them in Nyamira County. Is there a place I can get the seedlings and seeds?

Farmer

EDITOR: Please talk to Charles on 0708149095.

NJAHI GIVES ME BETTER DEAL
I have four acres in Meru County. I am interested in njahi farming. Please assist me with Martha Gatura’s mobile number to advise me on the crop.
Kinyua
EDITOR: Please talk to Martha on 0729272885.

I WANT TO GROW STEVIA

I would wish to start growing stevia. I am in Kiambu County, Lari Sub County and I am convinced it can grow well in my area. Please link me with the Egerton team.

Stephen Maingi

Please help me get the seedlings of the stevia plant. I am from Nyamira County. I guess it can do well in my area. I used stevia sweetener and I did not know that it can be grown in Kenya.
Dr George Mamboleo

EDITOR: Please talk to Lilian Jeptanui of Crops Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University on samoeililian@gmail.com or you can talk to Pure Circle Kenya, who grow cultivate Stevia on 518002540.

MANURE OFFERS ME STEADY INCOME
Kindly send me contact of farmer, Lydiah Chumari of Nyeri.
Sammy Gathuthi

EDITOR: Please talk to Lydia on 0724835811.

I WANT POMATO SEEDLINGS
I would like to get the seedlings of pomato to plant in Kitengela area. Please help me to get the contact and where I can buy the seedlings.
Dr George Mamboleo
EDITOR: Reach Manene on 0721203997.

GREEN REVOLUTION
Please send me the details of Mutika of Chuluni Horticultural Project in Kitui. I am interested in buying the mango juice.
Hussain
EDITOR: Mutika is available on 0722294189.

GROWING WORMS for manure
Please help with the telephone number of Peter Kanyagia of vermicomposting.
Juma