The magazine for sustainable agriculture in Kenya

Nr. 27

August 2007

Green manure is best fertilizer

Mucuna or crotalaria or
purple vetch (pictured) are
not just weeds. Used properly, they are the best way
to improve soil fertility.
The Organic Farmer
Crop yields in sub-Saharan Africa have hardly
increased since the 1960s.
The reason for this poor
performance is the declining soil fertility in the
continent. On 85 percent
of the African farmland,
the yearly loss of nutrients is more than 30 kg
per hectare much more
than on all other continents. The poverty of the
African farmers is the
main reason. Smallholder
farmers in the region do
not have the means to
access inputs (such as
fertilizers) and extension
services needed to raise their productivity. At the same time, traditional
methods of replenishing soil fertility,
such as fallowing or rotations, are no
longer possible due to the diminishing size of land holdings.
A way out of this sad development
is the use of green manure legumes to
improve soil fertility. Legumes such
as lablab, desmodium and purple
vetch have many benefits, including soil fertility replenishment, soil
and water conservation and weed
and pest control, not to forget their
use in human and animal nutrition.
Research done by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
as well as by many other institutes

The fruit fly can cause great loss to

farmers' mango trees. How can they
control this pest?
Page 4 and 5

worldwide is pinning much hope on

the use of green manure legumes and
their addition of nitrogen to the soil

TOF on air!
On Thursday of every third
week of the month, you can hear The
Organic Farmer on the Kiswahili Service of
KBC from 8.30 pm to 8.45 pm. In the next
programme we will talk about income
generation with dairy goats, poultry and
mushrooms. Tune in on Thursday 20th
August, 2007, 8.30pm!

(the most important nutrient for crop

production). However, the change is
slow and is not seen for three to four
seasons.
According to KARI studies in
the Kenyan highlands, legumes
such as mucuna, lablab, crotalaria
and canavalia, planted as a monoculture during one season, added 2
15 tonnes of organic matter per
hectare and were contributing 35 150 kg nitrogen under the same area.
Research by scientists and farmers in
Kisii discovered the benefit of these
legumes in intercropping with maize:
Before the use of green manure, the
yields were 12 bags of maize per acre,
and afterwards, the yield rose to 20
bags per acre. See pages 2 and 3

One of the most frequent requests we

receive from the farmers throughout the
country is to provide them with financial
assistance for buying farm inputs. We
lack resources to help the farmers. As
much as farmers are eager to improve
their production and income, their request
is a clear indication that they are unable
to access credit in the local financial
institutions. This is mainly because of the
many conditions attached to loans.
As we have reported many times in
this column, there are many low-cost
methods farmers can use to improve their
production. One of these methods is to
incorporate green manure legumes into
their cropping systems. These legumes
contain important nutrients such as
nitrogen that help improve soil fertility.
Although many farmers already know
that legumes offer a simple and cheap
method of improving soil productivity,
many have largely ignored this advice;
most of them burn bean residues after
threshing the beans.
Apart from the above-mentioned financial dilemma, behind this behaviour lies a
structural problem. Many rural households and have neither the labour to
devote to careful crop management nor
time to learn new techniques, writes
Robert Tripp in an article for the British
Overseas Development Institute. Added
to this is the fact that new technologies such as the green manure method
may require some additional labour, even
though it would be more than worthwhile.
We would really encourage small-scale
farmers to open their minds and try new
methods that could help improve their
yields. It is only those who are ready to
adapt to new ideas that manage to survive
in the rapidly changing situation in the
agricultural sector. Instead of looking for
solutions to their problems elsewhere, it
is time farmers tried to find the solution
within their own farming systems and
practices. In other words, the farmers
future lies in their own hands.
Finally, we have one point to make:
Many farmers groups are complaining
that they do not get our magazine from
their distribution institutions, or group
chairmen do not hand them out. We
know that this may be a genuine problem.
Those groups who are unable to get their
monthly copies can write to us, giving
their full addresses so that we can send
the magazine directly to them.

Nr. 27
OPINIONS
Quote: There is, of course, a gold
mine or a buried treasure on every
mortgaged homestead. Whether the
farmer ever digs for it or not, it is
there, haunting his daydreams when
the burden of debt is most unbearable.
Quote: Life on a farm is a school of
patience; you cant hurry the crops or
make an ox in two days.
Quote: No one hates his job so
heartily as a farmer. H.L. Mencken
Quote: Never answer a question
from a farmer. Hubert H. Humphrey

magazine

August 2007

Mixed cropping is good practice

Planting different crops on the same
land has many advantages for the
small-scale farmer.
The Organic Farmer
A short while ago, farmer Zachary
Mwarari sent us an SMS asking us to
show the difference between intercropping, mixed cropping and associative cropping. There is no sharp
line to draw, as all three are somewhat
related, and all three methods play a
major role in sustainable and organic
agriculture. Since many farmers send
us questions on this issue, we feature
it together with the article on legumes
on page 3.

Row intercropping

taller stems ensures good soil cover

and moisture retention.
Leguminous crops (e.g. beans) may
be grown in association with crops
or before crops which have a high
Different needs
Associative cropping means the demand for nitrogen (e.g. maize).
growing of two or more crops on Perennial plants can be effectively
the same field at the same time. This associated with seasonal plants.
method relies on the simple fact that Benefit of associating crops
different plant species, or even vari- Due to the more efficient use of
eties, have different needs for nutri- space (over and under the ground),
ents, water, light, etc. Different plants and because of beneficial interactions
require different amounts of nutrients between the mixed crops, this method
to produce a good yield. Some plants permits more intensive production.
have an especially high demand for The yields are usually lower for each
specific nutrients. While some plants crop than when the crops are planted
like full sunlight, others prefer half- separately, but the total yield of the
light. Plants growing in poor soils field is usually much higher when two
prefer to be shaded more than plants or more crops are grown.
growing under ideal soil conditions. Diversification is important: Mixed
There are two different ways to asso- cropping reduces the dependency on
only one crop. If one crop fails, the
ciate crops:
Mixed intercropping: Two or more other one will provide food. Intercrops are randomly sown at the same cropping spreads the economic risk
time, and share the same space (row), among various crops.
or can even be planted in the same The different crops do not mature
at the same time. This means that
hole.
Intercropping in lines: Two or more one crop will remain and provide the
crops are sown at the same time in
neighbouring lines in the same field crops are harvested. And, there is not
(as Kenyan farmers do with maize and so much work in harvesting the entire
field at the same time.
beans).
Since different plants have different Soil quality improves when nitroneeds, the root competition should
be minimal, and the periods of most mixed with crops or when a green
active nutrient uptake should not manure legume is planted for this
coincide. A farmer has to carefully purpose (see page 3).
select the plants that can be planted Intercropping means that there is
less need for rotating crops from one
together (associated):
Crops with strong rooting systems season to the next.
should be associated or alternated A variety of crops reduce pest and
with plants with a weak root growth. disease attack compared to single
Planting distances should be such cropping systems. The deterring or
that nutrient competition between attracting effects of some plants helps
to prevent pest attack on other crops.
plants can be minimized.
Deep-rooted crops are best grown Planting garlic or onions next to other
together with shallow-rooted plants to plants, for example, helps to repel
pests such as nematodes; their smell
maximize efficient use of space.
 makes it difficult for the insect to
plants or creepers with plants with detect its target crop.

Nr. 27

August 2007

Legumes are a cheap source of nitrogen

When it comes to fertilizing the soil,
green manure legumes are best.Smallscale farmers rarely use this method,
however.
Philomena Nyagilo
Instead of spending money on commercial nitrogen fertilizers, farmers
can use green manure legumes to
improve soil quality and get a better
harvest. However, using up space in
a small shamba for plants that cannot
be eaten is a very strange idea to
many farmers.
The green manure method is a pillar
of organic and sustainable farming.
Green manures are plants grown to
accumulate nutrients for the main
crop. When they have built up the
maximum biomass, they are cut and
incorporated into the soil. This fresh
plant material will decompose within
a short period of time and release

How to
use green manures
If you grow green manures in crop
rotation, the time of sowing must be
chosen such that the green manures
can be cut down and worked into the
soil before the next crop is sown.
Green manures need water for germination and growth!
If legumes and green manure are
grown in a field for the first time,
inoculation of the seeds with the
specific rhizobia (soil bacteria) may
be necessary to benefit from nitrogen
fixation by the legume; you can find
the inoculation material in Kenya
Seed Company stores and shops.
In the undersown method, the
green manure is sown at the same
time as the main crop or a little bit
later, if the green manure grows
faster than the main crop.
The time gap between digging in
the green manure into the soil and
planting the next crop should not
be longer than 2 to 3 weeks, so as to
prevent nutrient losses from decomposing green manure.
Green manures are worked in easily
when the plants are still young; if
they are taller or too bulky, it is preferabe to chop the plants. The best
time to dig in green manures is just
before flowering.
Green manures should be incorporated near the surface of the soil,
not too deep: In heavy soils, dig in
5 to 15 cm; in light soils, 10 cm to a
maximum of 20 cm!

nutrients quickly. This is different

from crop residues, which decompose
at a slower rate and will therefore
contribute more to the build-up of
soil organic matter than to fertilizing
the crop.
Increased yields for the farmer
Green manures penetrate the soil with
their roots, bind nutrients and support
the infiltration of water into the soil.
The contribution of organic matter to
the soil from a green manure crop is
comparable to the addition of 9 to 13
tonnes per acre (0.4 ha) of farmyard
manure.
Leguminous plants fix nitrogen
from the air into the soil. This nitrogen enriches the soil and feeds all
plants in the area. The portion of
green manure-nitrogen available to
a crop planted later is usually about
40 to 60 percent of the total amount
of nitrogen contained in the legume.
For example, a purple vetch crop that
accumulated 90 kg of nitrogen per
acre prior to plowing down will contribute approximately 45 kg of nitrogen per acre to the succeeding grain
or vegetable crop. Lesser amounts are
available for the second or third crop
following a legume, but increased
yields are apparent for two to three
growing seasons. Other advantages of
green manure are as follows:
Some green manures can be used as
fodder plants, or even to provide food
for human consumption (e.g. beans
and peas).
By decomposing, green manures
release all kinds of nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, sulphur, and others.
They are accumulated by cover crops
during a growing season. When the
green manure is incorporated or laid
down as mulch, these plant-essential nutrients become available during
decomposition.
- Green manures suppress weeds and
protect the soil from erosion by wind
and water and direct sunlight. Soil
cover reduces soil crusting and surface
water runoff during rainy periods.
Important points to consider
Green manuring is an inexpensive
way to improve soil fertility and the
nutrition of the main crops grown.
There are some aspects which must
be considered:
Green manuring requires some
additional labour.
If green manures are intercropped

Legumes: nitrogen factories

All plants need nitrogen to grow well.
In theory, there is no lack of nitrogen.
Air consists mainly of nitrogen (78
percent), but most plants are not able
to take nitrogen directly from the air;
they need it in modified form. Some
plants, especially from the legume
family, are capable of fixing nitrogen
directly from the air with their roots,
and changing it into a soluble form
as nutrients. Some of this nitrogen
is spread in the soil and can be used
by neighbouring plants. That is why
intercropping is important (see page
2). The effect is even better when
legumes are dug into the soil. They
enrich the soil with nitrogen, and
plants growing next on the same field
benefit from this readily available
nitrogen.
Legumes: Lablab (above), mucuna (below).
(Photos courtesy of Top Tropicals)

with the main crops they compete

for nutrients, water and light, but
the benefit of having a source of high
protein food (e.g. beans) may outweigh this.
If there is not enough food available
in a farmers family and little space
on the shamba, it may be more appropriate to grow a food crop rather
than a green manure and recycle the
crop residues, or to intercrop a green
manure crop with the main crop.

Nr. 27

August 2007

Protect your mangoes against fruit flies

Fruit flies cause great losses to mango eggs under the skin of the mango
farmers. Here are some methods to fruit. The eggs hatch into whitish
control these pests.
maggots that feed in the decaying
Mango production is continually
gaining recognition for its potential as
a major source of income, especially
for smallholder farms. The total area
under mango production in Kenya
alone is estimated at 16,000 ha. Mango
exports from Africa were estimated at
35-40 thousand tonnes annually and
worth around KSh 3 billion (US$ 42
million). The EU remains the largest
destination market for export from
Africa.

flesh of the fruit. Infested fruit quickly

rot, causing considerable losses in
production.
In the past, yield loss on mangoes
in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda due
to the indigenous fruit flies range
between 30 to 70 percent, depending
on the locality, season and variety.
This problem became aggravated by
Fruit flies: Ceratitis capitata mating
the fairly recent introduction of Bactrocera invadens, and damage has now
increased to between 40 to 80 percent,
especially in lowland areas where it is
now the dominant fruit fly pest.

Three types of pests

In each region where mango is grown,
it is attacked by fruit flies of different
types.
One of the major pests of the fruit fly
family is Bactrocera invadens. In addition to mango (which is the primary
host), the insect also attacks other cultivated fruits such as oranges, tomato,
banana, guava, custard apple and
avocado.
Another fruit fly is Ceratitis cosyra.
In addition to mango, it also attacks
guava, custard apple and marula.
The insect gradually has been pushed
away by other fruit fly species from
the lowland areas, but they remain
a threat to mango production in the
highlands.
Third in terms of economic importance on mango are Ceratitis rosa and
its close relative, Ceratitis fasciventris.
Apart from mango, they also attack
a broad range of cultivated and wild
fruits.
Fruit flies cause direct losses to
mango when the female fly lays her

Control methods
There are several methods of controlling fruit flies. The approach that is
being promoted by ICIPE is to adopt a
combination of methods by applying
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
techniques.
Baiting technique: The traditional
method of fruit fly control is based
on use of food baits. The bait attracts
the fruit flies from a distance to the
spot of application, where the flies
feed on the bait, ingest the pesticide
and die. The bait is normally applied
to a 1 square meter (1 m)spot on the
canopy of each tree in the orchard on
a weekly basis, starting from when
the fruits are about 1 cm in size
and continues till the very end of
the harvest. Several commercial baits
are available in the market, such as
NuLure, Buminal and Solbait, that
can be mixed with pesticide such
as Spinosad and applied as above.
Another commercial product is GF120 (Success). This bait is already
pre-mixed with pesticide (Spinosad)

Sunday Ekesi (ICIPE)*

Bactrocera invadens male enlarged 800

times
(Photos courtesy: Robert Copeland)

and can be applied using the on-label

information on the container.
Major problems in the use of baits
in Africa is that they are expensive
and inaccessible to a large number of
fruit growers. Research at ICIPE has
shown that a protein bait from brewers yeast obtained as an industrial
by-product provides good control
of mango infesting fruit flies when
applied in low volumes as spot spray
to 1 m of mango canopy or to the
mango trunk. Research is continuing
to formulate the bait to enhance its
attractiveness to fruit flies. The new
bait should be available as an alternative to imported products in the very
near future.
Soil inoculation: During development, mature maggots of fruit flies
drop from the fruits to the ground,
burrow into the soil and form a
resting stage called the puparia. An
important part of fruit fly suppression
research at ICIPE includes soil treatment with a fungal pathogen to kill
the mature maggot and puparia. The
active ingredient in the granules is a
fungus called Metarhizium anisopliae,
a naturally occurring fungus that is
used worldwide as a biological pesticide for controlling different kinds of
insect pests. The fungus is formulated
as granules and can be manually distributed by hand and then raked into
the soil under the mango canopy.
Healthy Tommy mangoes (L). Infested mango fruit full of maggots(R). (TOF / R. Copeland) Application is usually done once in
continued on page 5

Con

Nr. 27

August 2007

Common mango varieties grown in Kenya

A mango orchard should be kept
clean to prevent pests and diseases.
Good care can improve productivity
and income for farmers.
The Organic Farmer
Like other farmers, Linner Sigei from
Bomet is interested in mango production. She has 50 grafted mango trees
which are about four years old now,
and wants to know if she can grow
them organically. Yes, she can, as we
have shown already in TOF January

ntrolling the fruit fly...

Continued from page 4

2006 and as we report here again.


shaped trees within the first four years
and do not require pruning unless
there are excessive branches or unless
they acquire an unusual shape. The
orchard should always be kept clean
to prevent pests and spread of fungal
diseases. The most common diseases
are powdery mildew and anthracnose. Powdery mildew is a serious

in Kenya. Infections can lead to complete crop loss. Anthracnose is also a
common disease limiting production,
especially in areas with high humidity. Farmers growing mangoes conventionally could use chemicals such
as Benomil or sulphur mixed with a
sticker. For those growing mangoes
organically, copper oxychloride may
be used to control these diseases.

the season at the onset of fruiting; the

fungus can persist in the soil for over
one year. Additional research is still
being conducted on the appropriate
formulation and the product should
be available in the near future for
application by farmers to control the Fertilizer application
For farmers who prefer growing
pests.

Additional control methods
compost can be applied every one or
Orchard sanitation: Poorly managed two months around the tree following
or abandoned orchards and a variety the drip line (where the trees absorpof wild hosts can result in a build- tion roots are located). Farmers must
up of fruit fly populations. Orchard be careful not to apply too much
sanitation, which entails the collec- compost, as this tends to promote
tion and destruction of all unwanted rapid tree growth at the expense
fruits containing fruit fly maggots of flowering and fruiting. For the
on the tree and on the ground, can mangoes to be certified as organic,
significantly to reduce damaging fruit the orchard has to be inspected to
fly populations in the orchard. This ensure all certification requirements
is a very laborious exercise, but can are met. It is recommended that soil
be quite effective if the fruits are col- and leaf samples are taken for analylected regularly and destroyed twice sis before any fertilizer application
a week for the entire season. The col- is done in order to know the plants
lected fruits should be destroyed by nutrient requirements.
either burning, burying (at least 50 cm
deep), or putting them in tied plastic
bags and exposing them to the heat of
the sun for a few days until the fruit is
rotten and all the maggots in the bags
are dead.
Mechanical fruit protection: Wrapping or bagging of individual fruits
with newspaper or plastic bags to
prevent adult fruit flies from laying
eggs on the fruits is also a practice
for producing fruits that are free from
fruit flies. To be effective, the fruits
must be wrapped or bagged well
before fruit fly attack, at least one Kent variety: The Kent variety has a
month before harvest. Although labo-
rious, it is an effective method for or crimson blush on the shoulder. Its
expensive fruit species produced for flesh is juicy, melting deep yellow and
export or fruits produced in backyard fibreless, with a rich flavour. The Kent
gardens for family use.
tree is large and vigorous with a dense

*Dr. Sunday Ekesi is a Senior Scientist at
and is suitable for export.
ICIPE and leads the fruit fly programme.

Ngowe Variety: Ngowe is the most

easily recognised of the local mango
varieties. Ngowe mango trees are
comparatively small and round in
shape. The fruit is good for commercial production and export, however
the tree is susceptible to powdery
mildew.
Haden
variety:
Because of its good
quality, seeds from
the Haden variety
are used as parent
for several other
varieties of mangoes. It produces
medium to large-sized fruit and is
very juicy with a pleasant aroma.
The Haden variety has an attractive
appearance and is suitable for commercial production.

Tommy Atkins variety: The Tommy

Atkins variety has become an important commercial variety. It has a firm,

moderate fibre and pleasant aroma. It

is good for export because of its longer
shelf life. It can also resist anthracnose and powdery
mildew.
Apple Variety:
This variety originated from the
Kenyan coast. It
has a rich yellow/
orange colour when

to large fruits that are
round in shape and
smooth in texture and
that do not have fibres.
The tree is susceptible to anthracnose
and powdery mildew.

Nr. 27

August 2007

Control bean flies with sodom apple

Compost kitchen
waste well before use

What ratio of sodom apple fruit or

leaves should I use to control the bean
fly?
Peter Okello, Sondu Tel 0729 518 628.
Sodom apple solution is made using
1 kg of fruit and leaves to 3 litres of
water. Be sure to earth up the beans
stems that are already affected by the
pest, to allow the beans to send down
secondary roots.

If your field is seriously affected, lift

and burn the beans. Bean flies are less
prevalent during the rainy season,
therefore plan your planting of beans
accordingly.
If a field or area has a high level
of infestation with bean flies, rotate
with another crop. Bean fly maggots
can persist in the soil for an entire
season.

Sukumawiki is a nutritional powerhouse

Can I use kitchen waste directly on

bananas? Or which is the best way? P. Do you love kales or sukumawiki
(push through the week vegetable),
Gachanja, Ruai Tel. 0722 304 469.
as we say in Kenya? I really do. It is
Yes, you can use kitchen waste directly an amazing plant. It is one of the most
on bananas, although it would be potent health-promoting vegetables
better to first compost this waste. By known. Sukumawiki is a nutritional
directly applying the fresh waste, the powerhouse and is seriously undernutrients will not be evenly distrib- rated by being considered as a poor
uted to the banana roots. However mans food. Sukumawiki, a member
by composting, and then feeding the of the brassica family of vegetables,
plants, you will have a better result. contains all the important minerIf you must feed the bananas directly, als and vitamins for human life and
try to disperse the different kinds of boosts the immune system. But Tiluk
waste evenly around the plants, and Samwel has some doubts: Using
then be sure to cover the roots with sukumawiki as a vegetable causes
grass, hay or banana leaves. These heartburn and speeds up blood preswill act as a mulch, thereby reduc- sure more than local vegetables, he
ing the likelihood of nutrients escap- writes to us. What could be the
ing through evaporation, soaking or cause?
rodent damage. Beware of rats and
Sasa, Samwel! Sukumawiki does not
other rodents, and even dogs, that speed up blood pressure, on the conmay be attracted to the direct fresh trary! Sukumawiki is rich in potaswaste.
sium. Potassium is a mineral used by
Not all kitchen waste is suitable. the body to eliminate blood impuriThe inclusion of meat and bone waste ties and improve overall circulation.
will atttract rodents and will give Therefore, potassium is important
off an offensive smell. Biodegradable in the reduction of blood pressure.
vegetable waste is fine. Old newspa- However, potassium is partly lost in
pers and cardboard are also suitable. the cooking process, so it would be
It is also worth noting that given better to steam sukumawiki rather
the fact that banana roots will be than boiling it. Alcohol and caffeine
beneath the added waste material, also block the potassium.
these need to be watered regularly for
optimum absorption. Many banana Eat Garlic!
growers plant bananas in deep holes Two foods that are especially rich
and add composted waste into the in potassium and magnesium and
holes, which gradually fill up as more are easily added to meals and can
compost is added. Watering a system also be eaten raw are parsley and
like this is more effective, as the water garlic. Researchers have found that
and nutrients it carries are retained in people who eat one clove of raw
garlic a day have lower blood presthe area around the banana roots.
sure, because it helps improve cardiovascular health and prevents the
arteries hardening. If you dont fancy
smelling of garlic, take a supplement.
Other commonly available foods rich
in potassium include bananas, avocados, leeks, spinach, peas, beans,
chickpeas, lentils and nuts.

in four of us suffers from heartburn.

Heartburn is an irritating condition
called acid reflux; it is very uncomfortable, causing a burning pain behind
the breastbone and a taste of acid in
the back of the throat or mouth. It
occurs when acid is forced out of the
stomach via the valve that connects
the stomach to the gullet (oesophagus).
Most of the frequent causes of
heartburn (or acid reflex) are related
to your lifestyle. There are a number
of factors that can contribute to the
symptoms of heartburn, including
smoking, eating too quickly, wearing
your clothes too tight around your
midriff, and consuming the wrong
kinds of food and drinks (alcohol).
In this context, sukumawiki can cause
heartburn; however, this is very rarely
the case and only happens if you have
a very, very sensitive stomach.
Heartburn can be avoided by good
eating habits. You should avoid
meals containing fatty or spicy
ingredients;
sweet foods;
eating quickly large portions and
not chewing enough, which will force
the stomach to produce more acid to
digest the contents;
beverages such as coffee, acidic fruit
juices, carbonated drinks and alcohol;
instead, you should drink at least 2
litres of water a day;
Heartburn? Change your lifestyle!
Samwel has another question: Can eating a big meal immediately before
Philomena Nyagilo
sukumawiki cause heartburn? One sleeping.

Nr. 27

July 2007

The E.A. Organic Mark is a step forward

Good tips for seed selection

We hereby kindly request to be put on

your mailing list in order to receive
monthly copies of The Organic Farmer

based organic group by the name
Makerecha Organic Group. We came
across a copy of your magazine from
a friend of a member in the group. It
happened to be the April 2007 issue
on mushrooms and you can never
imagine how much it has assisted
us because that is what we are currently dealing with. We are 15 active
members in the group who are interested in becoming more knowledgeable on organic farming. Your consideration will be highly appreciated.

We would be grateful if you include

us in your mailing list. We have been
reading The Organic Farmer magazine through others and it has been
very useful to us. The February 2007
issue really updated us in selecting
the right seeds for the season. Johari
enterprise is composed of 10 peasant
farmers and businessmen. We grow
cereals, vegetables and fruits.
Involve the ceritification bodies
Lawrence J Opondo, Johari group,
It is possible that Tancert, Ugocert and P.O Box 242, Sondu
Encert participated in the formulation
of E.A Organic Standard; their own Students need magazine
standards should by now be revised On behalf of Young Farmers' Club
to incorporate the requirements of the in Netima High School, I would like
E.A. Organic Standard. It is encourag- to request you to send us a copy
ing on our part to note from Mr. Musa of the above magazine to help our
Njoka, the CEO of Encert, that their club, which is involved in horticulorganic standard is already revised to tural projects in our school. We badly
accommodate the requirements of the need access to information on organic
E.A Organic Standard. It is assumed farming.
that Tancert and Ugocert have also
Mr. Nyongesa Wanyonyi, P.O Box 24,
updated their standards.
Malakisi
Co-operation needed
To have an Organic Standard and Send me magazine
its Mark for the region is a major Kindly do send me a copy of The
step forward towards uplifting the Organic Farmer magazine. I am an
economic base of our communities. enthusiastic farmer and an ardent
This could also create the necessary listener to your radio bulletin on KBC
and important international recogni- every week on Thursdays between
tion of our capacity to initiate and 8.30-8.45. Congratulations!
manage a well-organized and signifi- Kennedy Messo, P.O Box 142-50241,
cant organic industry. It is therefore Kipkaren River
important that all organic stakeholders should support that initiative.
Magazine informs us
I am an organic farmer practising susJ.T Muriithi Simba, SOHGRO P.O Box 12
tainable agriculture with my family
10230 Sagana 0726 593 818
members. So I request for monthly
[email protected]
copies of your magazine. I will appreciate most because it will keep us on
Good training
g material
Mutuambay Self Help Group is our toes and be alert with regard to the
undertaking farming activities in benefits of organic farming, sustainMeru North District. Our activities are able agriculture, as well as sustainable
spread in two sub-locations Morega development in our community.
and Anjuki. The group has started
Rila Wamukota Natwati, P.O Box
projects which are on-going and are
1996, Kitale
doing well. We collaborate with agricultural extension staff. We also intend
to start beekeeping projects.
We have decided to get information from your institution on organic
farming technology, now that our
group has become a source of information for the members and our neighbours who highly rely on chemicals
in their farms and homes. We shall be
ready for whatever feedback.

James Gacheru,
P.O Box 521-00902 Kikuyu

Rebecca Thairora, P.O Box 182 60607,

Mikinduri

The concern of Su Kahumbu (TOF,

July 2007) is justified, but with some
reservations of what might transpire on consultative forums before
the implementation stage. It is my
view,that it could be too early to
worry on the outcome of the launch
of the E.A. Organic Mark. It is important to note that the final draft of E.A.
Organic Standard has not yet been
perused, debated and ratified by the
East African legislative assembly.
Certification requirements
The three certification bodies such as
Encert-Kenya, Ugocert-Uganda and
Tancert- Tanzania, mentioned by Su
Kahumbu are presumed to be recognized and acceptable by their respective countries. They would automatically qualify to oversee the certification process based on the E.A. Organic
Standard. I do not foresee any objection on the use of the certifying bodys
symbol and that of the E.A. Organic
Mark on products certified in accordance with E.A. Organic Standard.
The future E.A. Organic Accreditation
Committee should be able to ascertain
a reasonable and affordable charge
payable by the certification bodies for
the use of the Mark. The cost of the
Mark would most likely be passed by
the certifying body to the producer
who in turn could raise the selling
price to the consumer. The cost implication of the E.A Organic Mark is
therefore crucial.
The insinuation by Su Kahumbu
that the three certification bodies

Mushroom-story helped us

could gang up and refuse to inspect

and certify on the E.A Organic Standard would be a scenario which could
impel us to consider encouraging the
formation of more certification bodies
in the E.A region. Allowing the formation of more certification bodies
would create a competitive service
providers situation.

Tuma maoni yako! Asante.

Nr. 27

Spider mites are tricky to control

Spider mites are the most important
non-insect pest of tomatos. The pest is
spreading rapidly into the drier areas
of Kenya. The eggs, which are white/
pink and tiny, are usually laid on the
under-surface of leaves. The reddish
adults (0.25 mm long) have eight legs,
and produce a fine silk webbing on
leaves which tends to protect them
from predators.
Transmission: In warm dry weather,
mites can multiply and spread very
quickly; heavy rains or irrigation can
reduce the population. They can be
dispersed by the wind or even on
the farmers trousers!
Damage: Spider mites prefer the
underside of leaves, but in severe
infestations will occur on both leaf
surfaces as well as on the stems.
Heavily damaged plants are weakened, produce smaller and lighter
fruits, or can even be killed as result
of feeding by large numbers of spider
mites.
Control: Patrol the field regularly to
determine the level of infestation.
Cultural practices help control mites.
Keep the field clean and keep it free of
weeds. Old crops or weeds infested
with spider mites are ideal breeding
grounds for these pests remove
them or burn them immediately after
harvest. Sticks for holding tomato
plants should be scrubbed with water
and soap before using them again.
Natural enemies such as ladybird
beetles, lacewings or predatory mites
can control the spider mites.Therefore avoid broad-spectrum pesticides,
especially those based on pyrethrum,
since they kill the predatory mites,
causing spider mite numbers to flare
up. You should therefore use pesFarmers like growing tomato varieties which do not require stakes for
support. But these varieties are prone
to tomato blight, especially during
the wet season as they are near the
ground. The varieties pick up contaminated water on the ground leading to
rapid infection of the tomato plant by
both early and late blight. Farmers are
advised to plant these varieties only
during the dry season when there
is less water on the ground. They
could also reduce the blight problem
by going for varieties that require
support with stakes, but care should
be taken when irrigating to ensure

Tomato plant and fruit infested by spider mite

(Photo courtesy ICIPE)

ticides (botanical or synthetic) only

when it is really necessary. If you
want to use neem, look for a product
that contains a high proportion of
neem oil, as it is more effective.
Intercropping with garlic, basil and
onion can give some protection due to
their strong smell.
Tomato spray: Boil moderately 1
kg of fresh tomato leaves in 2 liters
water; cool and use as a spray.
Castor oil plant (Ricinus) spray:
Soak green seeds and leaves in water
for 24 hours, filter and spray. Caution:
Castor bean seeds are poisonous, so
do not allow people or animals to
drink the spray or eat tomatoes with
spray on them.
contaminated soil does not come into
contact with the leaves or the stem,
thus reducing the chances of spreading the diseases.

Tomato varieties not supported by sticks are

prone to blight.
(Photo TOF)

August 2007

Training: Baraka Agricultural Training College offers a wide range of

short courses for farmers, development workers and rural business
people: Sustainable agriculture July
29-August 4, Participatory project
planning August 5-18, Introduction to
beekeeping August 12-18, Bee equipment-making August 19-25, ICT for
rural development September 16-23,
Processing of bee products August
14-20, Sustainable Development
October 28 November 24, Microsaving and Credit Scheme November
4-11, Animal health November 18-24,
Community Development November
25-December 1. Charges vary between
Ksh 6000 and Ksh 8000 covering
tuition, food accommodation and
training. Participants must apply at
least three weeks in advance to book
a place. The college also offers a 16
month Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. The
deadline for applications is August 8,
2007 for the 2007/2008 academic year.
Applicantion for a 16-month Diploma
in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural
Development course that caters for
students in East Africa will close on
August 8, 2007.
Organic Produce: David Gakere, a
Kenyan resident in Johannnesburg
is keen to contact local exporters or
farmers growing organic produce.
He would like to buy only certified
organic produce. Those with these
products can contact him.
Write to: [email protected]
Land for sale: 25 acres in Passenga
scheme, well-drained fertile soils on
a gentle slope, currently under potato
and oats; clean freehold title. Electricity and piped water available. Contact
Waiyaki Mungai Tel. 0723-787171.
Amaranthus Seeds: Ronald M
Nyabuya has about 300 kg of Amaranthus seeds. Any farmer interested in
buying them can contact him. Write to
Ronald Nyabuya P.O.Box 995, 30200,
Kitale, Tel.0721 562 678.
Charcoal Stoves: Aruba Farmers
Group are making charcoal stoves for
chicken rearing. Any farmer who is
interested can contact the group coordinator, Mr. Kibiwot Cheruiyot, at the
following address: William Kibiwot
Cheruiyot P.O. Box 596, Kitale 30200
Tel. 0728 342 166.