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Potatoes Irish potatoes management

H

Harron Srimba

Guest
Found this in my journey:

IRISH POTATOES MANAGEMENT
ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • The potato crop is grown mainly in the cool, high altitude areas with well-distributed rainfall.
  • The most suitable elevation is between 1,500 meters and 2,500 meters above sea level.
  • Seed potato is both an input and output of potato production.
TIMING:
  • Planting for the long rains is done in October and November, followed by harvesting in January and February. The short rain crop is planted in March and April and harvested in July and August.
  • The irrigated crop is planted mainly in January and February and in June and July, but farmers with adequate land can plant at any other time of the year.
  • The harvesting time for the irrigated crop is timed to coincide with low market supplies and better prices.
SOILS:
  • Free draining fertile medium loams are preferred for growing the crop since heavy clays restrict tuber growth.
SPACING:
  • Potatoes are planted in furrows at a spacing of 75cm from one furrow to another and 30cm from one tuber to another and 10cm deep.
FERTILIZER APPLICATION:
  • D.A.P fertilizer is mixed in the soil at planting time at a rate of 200kg per acre [about 1kg DAP per 35m of furrow].
  • Weed and earth up the crops as they grow with the final earthing up done at 25cm high.
DISEASES:
  • The two most important diseases of potatoes in Kenya are late blight and bacterial wilt.
  • Late blight can be controlled by planting resistant varieties. Spraying can also be done using recommended fungicides.
  • There is no chemical control for bacterial wilt which is controlled through the use of clean seed, resistant varieties, crop rotation with cereals and field hygiene.

PESTS:
  • Potatoes tuber moth is a major pest common in the farmers’ fields and can be controlled by spraying recommended insecticides.

FINANCE:
  • Potatoes growing business in Kenya requires capital amounting to Ksh 70,000 per acre in suitable areas which includes farm inputs and labour.
  • 0ne acre will produce an average of 150 bags (50kg) sold at / on farm price of a of Ksh1,000/= per bag giving returns of ksh150,000 minus ksh 70,000 cost of production gives net returns of about Ksh80,000.
 
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