Faced with reduced acreage for farming due to population growth and unpredictable weather conditions, many Kenyans are turning to greenhouse farming technology as a way to increase food production and supplement their income.
"Many Kenyans are adopting greenhouse farming because it requires very little capital to set up and farmers are able to produce more on a small farm," said Moses Khaemba of Hortipro Limited, a Nairobi-based firm that constructs low-cost greenhouses.
In addition to being relatively inexpensive and easy to install, greenhouses also have lower maintenance costs, use water more efficiently and can be shifted between plots, he said, adding that farmers can see profits from the first harvest.
"Greenhouse farming has many advantages," Khaemba told Sabahi. "These include higher and more consistent production per acre, which translates into more profits, protection from weather issues like frost and wind, limited exposure to damaging pests, natural sunlight and ventilation, longer growing seasons, and more economical water usage, especially in dry areas."
Amos Karanja has set aside a portion of his quarter-acre plot in Kitengela, Kajiado County, for growing greenhouse tomatoes. "Although I have a day job, I ventured into this type of farming as a way of earning additional income to support my family," he told Sabahi.
Dan Wanjohi of Daner Greenhouse Limited in Ongata Rongai, a residential area in Rift Valley Province, said virtually any vegetable can be grown in greenhouses, including cucumbers, onions and cabbage. "Most farmers in Kenya prefer to grow tomatoes because it is a high-yield plant and one that gets returns in three months after planting," he told Sabahi.
Source: Sabahionline.com
Announcements
Vacancies
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 - yesterday
Top 5 - last week
Top 5 - last month
- "Vertical solar panels under the gutter can provide significant savings in plastic greenhouses"
- The differences between greenhouse growers in US and Canada
- German grower reduces moisture in slabs with Spacer
- Half the labor if tomato grows upside down?
- China: Abundance of crops grow in arid Xinjiang desert
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-05-29 Hydroponic strawberries from Turkey are exported to various countries
- 2023-05-29 Glasshouses relocated and repurposed to provide quality growing facility for Guernsey-based charity
- 2023-05-29 US (IN): Flanner House to unveil greenhouse and mental health center to support urban core
- 2023-05-26 US (NC): California company makes $9M investment in Mills River-based greenhouse
- 2023-05-24 "Power lies in the marriage between 'ag' and 'tech'"
- 2023-05-24 Revol Greens unveils new Texas facility to meet increased demand
- 2023-05-24 CAN (NS): Province announces new funding for greenhouse in New Glasgow
- 2023-05-19 Indoor Farm Guwahati now largest indoor farm in the region with a capacity of over 13,000 plants
- 2023-05-19 Another 20 hectare for Tunisian glasshouse project Hicha joy
- 2023-05-19 10 foil greenhouses will be built in Cukurca, Turkey as part of municipality project
- 2023-05-18 Tornado destroys 100 greenhouses in Mersin, Turkey
- 2023-05-18 "Growing demand for construction professionals in CEA"
- 2023-05-18 20-hectare Senegal project includes greenhouses, packing house and supermarket
- 2023-05-18 Construction of Europe's largest agri-PV project starts at Dutch grower
- 2023-05-17 US (PA): In vitro diagnostics lab to add 32,000 sq. ft. predictive diagnostics innovation center
- 2023-05-17 First harvest for vegetable roots takes place in geothermal hydronic greenhouse in Ankara
- 2023-05-17 UK: Double-decker bus to be transformed into greenhouse in Newcastle
- 2023-05-17 Major Turkish company started production in geothermal greenhouses in 60 hectares
- 2023-05-15 Bombus bees are produced in laboratories to be used in greenhouses
- 2023-05-15 CAN (ON): New urban farm greenhouses draw praise
