Dear, if you are looking for a lucrative crop to cultivate in Kenya, try barley farming.
It is a versatile cereal crop.
Barley farming improves the livelihood of farmers and contributes to Kenya’s agricultural sector.
This comprehensive guide will show you how to grow barley, select the right varieties, market, and harvest it.
Well, let’s get started now.
Introduction to Barley Farming in Kenya
Barley is a cereal crop has been steadily growing in importance over the years.
It is used as a raw material in various industries – food production, animal feed, and brewing.
Nakuru, Narok, Uasin Gishu, and Laikipia are the main regions whrere barely grows well in Kenya.
Do you know why?
The reason is simple.
The climate and soil are ideal for the crop.
European settlers introduced barely in Kenya in the early 20th. Since then, it has become an important crop in Kenya.
Varieties of Barley Grown in Kenya
There are two varieties of barely grown in Kenya – malting barley and feed barley.
Malting barley
Malting barley is mainly used in the brewing industry.
Let’s look at some common varieties grown in Kenya.
- Fanaka: It has a high yield and good malting quality
- Nguzo: This variety is adaptable and resistant to diseases
- Grace: Its drought tolerant and has good malting properties
- Sabini: Liked because of its high yield and superior malting qualities
Feed barley
Feed barley has high nutritional content so it is used as livestock feed.
Each barley variety has its characteristics – yield, disease resistance, malting quality, and drought tolerance.
Thus, farmers should choose varieties based on their specific needs and local growing conditions.
Climatic and Soil Requirements
Barley grows well in temperate climates and Kenya’s highland regions have the conditions.
The ideal conditions for barley cultivation.
- Altitude: 1,500 to 3,000 meters above sea level
- Rainfall: 500 to 1,000 mm per year
- Temperature: 15°C to 25°C
Barley enjoys cool, wet conditions and can tolerate frost better than other cereals.
Thus, it is a good choice for farmers in cooler regions.
What are its soil requirements?
Well, barley performs best in:
- Well-drained, fertile loamy or clay soils
- Soil pH range of 6.0 to 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
The good news is that barley tolerates less fertile soils than other cereals.
Land Preparation for Barley Farming
Let’s look at important points to consider and key steps involved in land preparation.
- Clearing: Remove any debris, rocks, or previous crop residues from the field.
- Plowing: Plow the land to a depth of 20-30 cm to encourage proper root development.
- Harrowing: Harrow the field to break up clods and create a fine seedbed.
Mulch to conserve soil moisture. Mulching retains water in the soil and reduces erosion.
Pro Tip: Incorporate cover crops into your rotation to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion between barley plantings.
Barley Planting
Planting is an important stage in this agribusiness. So what is involved in barely planting?
Well, there is a lot involved.
What you need to know
Seed selection and treatment
Make sure your seeds are certified. Certified seeds produce high yields and are resistant to diseases.
Treat seeds with appropriate fungicides to protect them against soil-borne diseases.
Time of planting
The ideal planting periods for barley in Kenya.
- Long rains season: March to April
- Short rains season: September to October
Planting methods
This crop can grown in two different ways.
- Drill planting: Seeds are planted in rows using a seed drill.
- Broadcasting: Seeds are scattered evenly across the field by hand or machine.
It is recommended that a farmer maintains a seed spacing of 15-20 cm rows and 2-3 within rows.
The recommended seed rate is 75-100 kg per hectare. However, this depends on the variety and planting method used.
Water and Irrigation Management
Barely requires good water management. So if you live in semi-arid and arid regions, consider irrigation to supplement the rainfall.
Consider, implementing conservation irrigation techniques.
Let’s explore these techniques.
- Drip irrigation
- Furrow irrigation
As a farmer, make sure you have proper drainages in your fields. Good drainages prevent waterlogging.
Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs – it results in root rot and other diseases.
Nutrient Management
As a farmer, it is important to understand that proper nutrient management is important for proper growth and producing high yields.
Firstly, find out the nutrients that are in the soil.
Let’s explore what is involved.
Soil testing and nutrient balancing
Test the soil to find out the nutrients that are there and the pH level. Then based on the results, adjust your fertilizer application to address any deficiencies.
Apply the fertilizers in two stages.
- Basal application: Apply phosphorus and potassium at planting.
- Top-dressing: Apply nitrogen 3-4 weeks after germination.
Fertilizer requirements
The exact fertilizer requirements.
Barley requires a balanced supply of nutrients, particularly
- Nitrogen (N): 60-80 kg/ha
- Phosphorus (P): 30-40 kg/ha
- Potassium (K): 20-30 kg/ha
Organic matter and crop rotation
Add organic manure and compost to the soil to improve its health and fertility.
Implement crop rotation with legumes to naturally fix nitrogen in the soil.
Pro Tip: Consider foliar feeding to address micronutrient deficiencies quickly during the growing season.
Weed Management in Barley Farming
In farming, weeds are not needed. They compete for nutrients with your plants.
They are enemies of your cereal crops.
So make sure you get rid of them
Which type of weeds are common?
Well, there are many.
Let’s explore the common weeds that affect barley in Kenya.
Oats, canary grass, and various broadleaf weeds affect barely in Kenya.
How can a farmer get rid of these weeds?
Well, we use two main methods.
Cultural practices
- Early weeding: Weeds are removed when they are young and easier to control.
- Crop rotation: Rotate barley with crops with different growth habits to disrupt weed life cycles.
- Intercropping: Plant compatible crops alongside barley to suppress weed growth.
Chemical control
Apply appropriate herbicides for pre-emergence and post-emergence weed control.
However, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and local regulations when applying herbicides.
Mechanical weed control
Supplement chemical control with mechanical methods such as manual weeding or mechanical weeders between rows.
Pest and Disease Control in Barley Farming
Pests and diseases should be avoided at all costs. They reduce yields. In other words, they still your profit.
What are these pests and diseases?
How can we manage them?
Well, let’s explore them now.
Major pests
- Aphids
- Stem borers
- Root-knot nematodes
Common diseases
- Rust (leaf and stem rust)
- Barley yellow dwarf virus
- Powdery mildew
- Net blotch
Implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for managing pests and diseases effectively.
- Use resistant barley varieties when available.
- Practice good field hygiene to reduce pest and disease incidence.
- Monitor your crop regularly for signs of infestation or infection.
- Apply appropriate pesticides and fungicides when necessary, following all safety guidelines.
Pro Tip: Encourage natural predators of barley pests by maintaining diversity in your farm ecosystem.
Barley Crop Management
The crop must be managed well. Proper management leads to high yields. There are several ways of managing this cereal.
Let me share with you how I manage my barely.
Crop rotation
Rotate barley with other crops to maintain soil health and reduce disease pressure. A typical rotation might include:
Year 1: Barley Year 2: Legume – beans or peas)Year 3: Another cereal – wheat or oats
Cover crops and legumes
Plant cover crops or legumes between barley seasons to improve soil fertility and structure.
This practice also helps prevent soil erosion and suppress weeds.
Field sanitation
Maintain proper field sanitation to reduce disease transmission:
- Remove and destroy crop residues after harvest.
- Clean equipment between fields to prevent the spread of pathogens.
- Control volunteer barley plants that can harbor pests and diseases.
From my experience, implementing these management practices will create a healthier environment for your barley crop and improve your chances of a successful harvest.
Harvesting Barley
Harvest barely at the right time. This is important in the harvesting of barely cereal crop.
Harvesting your cops at the right time results in high-quality barely crops and maximizes your yields.
How will a farmer know that their barely is ready for harvesting?
Well, there are several indicators.
Let’s explore these indicators.
Signs of maturity
Look for these indicators.
- Grain hardness: The kernels should be firm and resistant to denting when pressed with a thumbnail.
- Yellowing of leaves: Most of the plant’s leaves will turn yellow or brown.
- Drying of heads: The barley heads will bend over and appear dry.
Harvesting methods
As a farmer, you can choose the method ideal for your farm. There are a lot of factors at play here.
The method is determined by farm size and resources.
Let’s explore the harvesting methods available.
- Manual harvesting: Sickles or scythes are used to cut the barley stalks. This is ideal for small farms.
- Mechanical harvesting: This involves the use of machinery. Combine harvesters are usually used. Mechanical harvesting is used for larger fields.
Post-harvest handling
After harvesting, the cereal crop should be handled properly. Post-harvest handling is extremely important.
It determines the quality of your cereal crop.
Let’s explore what is involved.
- Threshing: Separate the grains from the heads using manual or mechanical threshers.
- Drying: Dry the grains to a moisture content of 12-13% to prevent mold growth.
- Storage: Store barley in clean, dry, and well-ventilated facilities to prevent pest infestation and spoilage.
Pro Tip: Consider investing in hermetic storage bags or silos to protect your harvest from pests and maintain quality for longer periods.
Barley Processing
You can do a lot to a bareley crop. It can undergo several processing steps. Well, the possibilities are limited.
Let’s explore the different processes involved.
Primary processing
- Cleaning: Remove debris, chaff, and damaged grains.
- Sorting and grading: Classify grains based on size and quality.
- Malting: For brewing industry use, barley is malted through controlled germination and drying.
Value addition
As a farmer, I Consider these value-addition opportunities to increase my profits.
- Barley flour production: Mill barley for use in baking and cooking.
- Animal feed formulation: Process barley as a key ingredient in livestock feed.
- Barley-based products: Develop food items like barley porridge or bread.
Well, value addition comes with some benefits. It diversifies your income streams and helps you find new markets.
Marketing of Barley in Kenya
Marketing is an important aspect in barely farming business.
Honestly speaking, you can not benefit anything from this agribusiness if you don’t make it to people.
How will people know that you are selling barely if you don’t tell them?
Thus, marketing is important – it will increase your profit.
Domestic and export markets
The cereal crop is in high demand. It is mostly used in the brewing industry.
It can also exported to neighboring countries.
Market channels
The cereal crop is sold in different ways. You can sell it through
- Farmers’ cooperatives: Join a cooperative to access better prices and marketing support.
- Brokers: Work with middlemen who connect farmers to buyers.
- Direct contracts: Establish agreements with breweries or food processors.
Demand drivers
As you may be aware, the demand for beer is ever-increasing. Barely is used in the production of beer.
This explains why the demand for barley is increasing.
Pro Tip: Find out about market trends and pricing by contacting other farmers and industry associations.
Challenges Facing Barley Farmers in Kenya
Barley farming is a profitable business venture. However, this business has its own challenges.
What are some of these challenges?
Well, there are many.
Let’s explore some of these challenges.
- Market volatility and price fluctuations
- Limited access to high-quality seeds and improved varieties
- Pest and disease outbreaks affecting yields
- Inconsistent rainfall and climate change impacts
- Competition with other cereal crops such as maize and wheat
- Limited access to modern farming technologies and mechanization
As a farmer, its important that you get to know these challenges. The knowledge will help you to overcome the challenges.
Sustainable Practices in Barley Farming
As a farmer, I recommend that you implement sustainable practices.
They bring huge benefits. They result in long term success.
Let’s explore some of these sustainable practices.
- Crop rotation: Alternate barley with other crops to maintain soil health.
- Minimal tillage: Reduce soil disturbance to preserve soil structure and organic matter.
- Organic fertilizers: Use compost and manure to improve soil fertility naturally.
- Efficient water use: Implement water-saving irrigation techniques.
- Integrated pest management: Use a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical methods to control pests and diseases.
From my personal experience, adopting these practices will not only improve your farm’s productivity but also contribute to environmental conservation.
Future Prospects of Barley Farming in Kenya
The future looks bright for barley farming in Kenya.
Why?
There are so many indicators.
Let’s explore these indicators.
- Expanding production: Opportunities to grow barley in marginal areas using improved varieties.
- Increasing demand: Growing brewing industry creating a steady market for malting barley.
- Mechanization: Potential for adopting modern farming techniques to improve efficiency.
- Value addition: Opportunities in developing new barley-based products.
- Food security: Barley’s potential to contribute to Kenya’s overall food security goals.
Honestly speaking, if you adapt to new trends, you can position yourself to take advantage of these opportunities.
Final Thoughts on Barely Farming in Kenya
Barley farming gives farmers hope in Kenya. Its demand in the brewing industry is on the increase.
This cereal crop is adaptable to different climatic conditions.
So it is a profitable and resilient crop choice.
It is worth considering cultivating in Kenya.
I’m sure this guide has equipped you with the knowledge needed to start your barely farming business.
Hey, my name is Beatious Kahale. I Help farmers and investors in Kenya maximize their yields and profits – I offer practical crop farming tips. The guides target both beginners and experienced farmers. They guide farmers in their way to success in Kenya’s diverse agricultural landscape.