Garlic farmer plans to beat China imports

Up to 80 percent of garlic onions consumed in Kenya are imported from China. The shortage experienced in the country is as a result of the notion that garlic onions cannot grow well in Kenya.

But those who have farmed it says, on the contrary, Kenya has suitable soil and climate to grow the crop.

Timothy Ngugi, a farmer of the crop in Nyeri County, is among those farmers. However, he says success in garlic farming is hidden behind best and quality seeds. “Most farmers fail because of poor quality seeds in existence. Seeds are extracted from the same garlic harvested, under proper farm management. That infers that seeds’ producers are the same farmers who grow the crop,” he explains.

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Kiawara area, about 35 kilometers drive from Nyeri town is popularly known for garlic farming. The whole of Kieni and Naromoru are also good for the crop. However, yields produced in that area are insufficient to meet the high demand.

For Ngugi, what began as a research activity, to see if the crop can do well in Kieni, a semi-arid area, turned to be a lucrative venture. He embarked on the project in 2015. “I conducted the research in barely less than 5 by 5 square metres piece of land. I harvested 40 kilos,” discloses Ngugi.

He says it cost him Sh500 to purchase a kilo of garlic seeds, otherwise known as ‘cloves’. “My research demonstrated that the Mt Kenya region and Kenya at large have favorable climate and soils to grow the crop. However, I did not sell the produce, I used it as seedlings on an eighth of an acre which also gave incredible yields,” he explains.

He says most farmers are unaware of best and quality seeds, cloves to sow. Cloves are extracted from garlic bulbs. Each garlic is estimated to have between 15 -20 cloves. “After planting, the crop takes about three months to be ready for harvest. So as to get quality cloves, they should be given one more month to fully mature. That’s where most farmers fail,” says Mr. Ngugi.

He warns that harvesting garlic while leaves are still green in colour will frustrate a potential farmer who intends to extract seeds. “Best cloves are those given a month extra for leaves to dry up, a sign they are fully mature,” he insists, adding that mother plants should be free from diseases and any deformity. A kilo of cloves ranges between Sh400 - Sh500.

Ngugi does garlic in half an acre. He says the crop needs proper farm management and intensive care.