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Cabbage farming requires more water availability for maximum production and a shorter season. It is a highly profitable agribusiness venture as it fetches more prices in nearly every season of the year.
The rising need to implement drip irrigation in cabbage and other vegetable cultivation in Kenya is due to more sustainability and lower production costs. The cost of production reduces because you entirely utilize less water to grow a large farm of cabbage plants.
Enhanced Cabbage Yield with Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is an intermittent wetting method, as it supplies water to plant sections at equal intervals in a line. The drops of water may seem less but with time are enough to satisfy the growth moisture requirement.
Another reason to prefer cabbage with drip irrigation model is the lower rate of weed growth and lower disease risks.
Requirements for Cabbage Farming in Kenya
- For optimal growing of cabbage plants, you need a piece of land that can satisfy the climatic conditions of soil, water, and temperature. The conditions are;
- Soil PH of 6.0 to 6.5, Soils rich in organic matter, sandy loam or loam and well drained.
- Water levels of 500mm. In places that receive less rainfall, irrigation is required, and drip irrigation is suitable.
- Temperature of 15- 20 °C
How to Choose Cabbage Varieties to Grow
Several certified cabbage varieties are available in Kenya such as;
- Rio Verde F1
- Green Challenger F1
- Proctor F1
- Gloria F1
- Kingston F1
Hybrid cabbage varieties have different soil suitability, disease resistance, growth and harvest periods, yield, and water needs.
To choose the best cabbage variety, consult an agronomist who will help identify the suitable type for your soil.
Cabbage Farming Spacing in Drip Irrigation Layout
The irrigation farming of cabbage has an organized propagation in lines which vary as per the bed size. Beds are sections of land partitioned to enhance ease in irrigation and management of the farm.
In a drip irrigation model, cabbages are take a spacing of 30 cm intervals in a line and 60 cm line spacing. 30 cm Driplines are laid along the planting lines to deliver water directly to the planted spots containing the cabbage seedlings.
Seedling Propagation of Cabbage Plants
Recommended to be propagated in raised beds of 1 m width and less than 100m length. Height should be 15 cm.
How to Transplant Cabbage Seedlings
- Seedlings are ready for transplanting after 4-6 weeks in the nursery, depending on temperatures
- Wet the seedlings an hour before transplanting.
- Plant to the same depth as in the nursery 15cm
Other Methods of Cabbage Irrigation Farming
Cabbage plants can also be irrigated using overhead sprinkler, furrow, spray and micro-sprinkler irrigation methods. Application of these techniques results in higher cost of production, weed growth, and leaf rots.
Which is Preferable, Drip or Sprinkler Irrigation?
Drip irrigation is better than sprinkler method in cabbage and other vegetable irrigation. The cost of running drip irrigation is cheaper than sprinkler and furrow methods.
Techniques to Conserve water in Cabbage Farming
- Application of Mulches – You can use organic or artificial mulching paper to prevent weed growth and water loss.
- Growing under shade nets – Cabbage plants and seedlings are mostly propagated under shade nets to reduce water usage.
- Using Smart drip irrigation systems – for large farms you can install smart auto-controlled irrigation methods to improve water use efficiency.
Where to Purchase Drip Irrigation Kits for Cabbage Farming in Kenya
Aqua Hub is the most popular brand supplier of drip irrigation systems in Kenya. We avail drip irrigation systems for cabbage farming. Other crops to irrigate with drip kits include onions, watermelon, tomato, capsicum and cucumbers.
Call 0790719020
