How can I start commercial cassava farming in Busia?
How can I start commercial cassava farming in Busia?
Before you think of setting up a cassava farm, consider the following;
Finances; you should have enough capital to sustain the venture.
Market availability; it is always advisable to look for market before you start producing.
Passion; you must be passionate about the venture and not simply because someone you know does it or excelled at it.
Expertise; this can be attained through visiting different cassava growers.
Status of the soil; there is need to test your soil to establish if it is suitable or can support cassava growing.
Source of planting seeds; planting material should be obtained from a trusted source. The seed should be clean and disease free, about nine months old with a thickness of two to three centimetres. The stake length of 25 to 30 cm are good with shallow planting with allows production of more roots.
Site selection; the land for cultivation should not be established in low lying areas. It should not have been under cassava growing to ensure that it is disease free.
Note: On very rich soils, the plants may produce stems and leaves at the expense of the tubers; like in freshly cleared forest, it is better to first plant cereal crops before planting cassava. Cassava can be cultivated under both irrigated and rain-fed conditions. However, with irrigation, you can be able to cultivate throughout the year as compared to rain-fed which might give less yields. Best season for rain-fed is May to June. After planting, mulch and cover the crops to help reduce weed manifestation.
Answered by Julius Mabuya, an agronomist working with PAAT Soil clinic in Kyengera.
What is the best soil for growing beans?
Beans are fast growing crops but high yields depend on the type of soils they are planted in. Being legumes, beans fix nitrogen into the soil, thus improving fertility levels. Beans grow well in well-drained soil that is high in organic matter and with a pH of between six and seven. Growth is poor in water-logged soils.
To get good yields, you need to grow varieties that are suitable to the area where you are and adopt good management practices. Beans can grow well under the following conditions:
Soil testing; ensure to carry out soil test to establish the status of the soil you are given that beans are a heavy nitrogen feeder.
Land preparation; proper land preparation is very important key to consider when planting beans. Land preparation should be done early enough so that the field is free of weeds and ready for planting at the onset of the rains.
Fertiliser; make holes and apply DAP fertiliser (300mls) in each of the planting holes. Slightly cover the fertiliser with light soil before planting the seed to save it from getting burnt by the fertiliser. After three weeks, add CAN fertiliser. You can also use farmyard manure or well -made compost manure especially in areas where soils are low in organic matter content. The manure should be applied at least one week before planting.
Planting; beans should be planted at the onset of the rains because delay in planting may cause a reduction in yields or even crop failure. It should be done in rows at 50 cm by 10 cm. With altitude, both high and low altitude areas are suitable as long as there is adequate rain. They however, they tend to grow and mature faster in lower altitude zones. A lot of rain is not good for beans as they hinder great yields.
Seed quality; when buying, look out for certified seeds but you can also use seed from you previous stock. However, carefully select seeds for planting, ensure all wrinkled or damaged seeds are removed. Seeds when planted are prone to fungal diseases and pest damage before they germinate. To prevent this, all seeds must be treated with organic fungicides and pesticides a range of which are available in the market.
Weed control; ensure to control weeds, this should be done continuously to ensure all the weeds are controlled. Avoid cultivation at flowering time when the field is wet as this can spread diseases.
Harvesting; this should be done immediately the pods turn brown and hard before they start shattering.
Answered by Julius Mabuya, an agronomist at PAAT Soil Clinic
What instrument measures the quality of milk?
Before getting to instruments, every diary farmer must know the feature characterising clean milk from his senses of sight, smell and taste. Characteristics of clean milk , which include the following: Colour: The milk should have a bright white colour. Any milk deviating from this should be discarded. Milk flavour or smell: It has sweetish taste.
Source: Agricultural Research Extension Network
(www.arenet.or.ug)
Why is calcium vital to animals?
Calcium is one of the main minerals needed by animals to; support body structures, maintain body function, grow, produce and reproduce. Calcium is part of the strong ultra-structural network supporting bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed in the body to;
• Facilitate movement of nutrients across the body
• Support enzymes in their work during digestion
• Maintain muscle integrity and movement
• Form egg sells
• Form milk in mammals
• Amplify signs of heat so that mating can take place
Deficiency or imbalance in calcium can lead to;
• Poor growth rates
• Weakness in muscles, bones and improper bone development
• Reduced milk output
• Diseases such as milk fever in cattle
• Production of shell-less eggs or poorly formed egg shells
• Silent heat in mammals
Calcium is available in minimal quantities in plant forage. To supplement animal diets to meet the needs for calcium in the body, farmers can use; lake shells, stock feed lime, dried egg shells, plus the commercial products di-calcium phosphate (DCP), Mono-calcium phosphate (MCP).
Answered by Samuel Ssewagudde, a veterinary doctor
