This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
As the cold weather sets in, farmers in Kenya are advised to take precautions to protect their crops from damage and losses.
According to Alfred, a farmer based in Eldoret, the cold weather can cause blotting in onion farms, which is characterized by the increased sprouting of seed stalks.
Blotting is usually attributed to low temperature and poor seed selection, and can be prevented by choosing a seed variety that adapts best to the climatic conditions of the locality.
For instance, planting onions in areas that receive high rainfall should be done when the rains subside and the temperature is high, and the crop should be irrigated by planting it off-season.
Applying mulch around the base of plants, covering them with protective material, and moving potted plants to a shelter are some of the ways to protect crops from cold weather.
Plastic mulches can also increase soil temperature and hasten early plant development, while spraying against fungal infection can prevent the spread of diseases.
Seedlings in the nursery can be protected by covering them with a shade net, and potted plants in the urban setup can be moved indoors or to a shed to shield them from very low temperatures.
Improving the drainage system of the farm can also help to improve soil temperature, and avoiding overhead irrigation during the cold season can prevent the spread of fungal diseases.
In the greenhouse, controlling the temperature by closing and opening the ventilators can prevent delay in fruits ripening, and pruning leaves can increase the rate of ripening.
