Producing of potatoes through irrigation is increasingly becoming common among most farmers in Kenya. This method is suitable for dry seasons or areas that receive little rainfall that is not sustainable thus potato irrigation farming.
Methods of Potato Irrigation
Potatoes can be water using furrow, drip, sprinklers, or rain hose irrigation. However, the suitable methods are those that do not encourage fungal infections.
Suitable Method for Potato Irrigation
As you might be aware that potato leaves are common to attract fungal infections, methods that allow water contact with leaves are not good.
Therefore, using drip irrigation is recommended as it saves water and balances its supply to entire farm.
Furrow irrigation can also be good but not convenient for hilly areas. It could also cause waterlogging since water control is less efficient.
How to Water Potatoes
Irrigation times and frequencies of potato plants depend on the stage of production.
You require drip emitters of 15 or 20 cm hole spacing to enhance sufficient water supply along potato plant lines.
The drip lines should be placed on the middle or along plant lines at 1 M apart.
You can choose to grow your potatoes on beds or entirely on the farm.
Potato Water Requirement
The water requirements of potato crops vary as per the stage of growth.
On the growing to germination stage, you need to irrigate 3 times a week due to minimum water needs.
The plant requires a lot of water during the flowering stage for formation of bulbs or tubers. You can increase the frequency of irrigation between 4-5 times a week.
After the plant starts shedding flowers, it is almost ready for harvest, and you need to stop irrigation. The reason is to prevent water from damaging the tubers when harvest nears.
Best time to Water Potatoes
During the afternoon or morning hours when the sunlight intensity is extremely lower to prevent direct water loss to evaporation.
Potato Drip Irrigation System
You need to acquire a drip irrigation kit for your potato farming project. Drip method allows you to realize huge income from production coupled with quality produce.
Components of Potato Drip Kit
- Water tanks or Source
- HDPE or PVC mainline pipes
- Drip emitters 15 cm or 20 cm
- Water filters
- Delivery pipes
- Control Valves
- Drip connectors
Benefits of drip method for Potato Irrigation Farming
- Drip methods can save tons of water for utilization in irrigation.
- It is saves cost of labor and time used when moving pipes during irrigation.
- The method is efficient as you can control the water that reaches crops.
- It leads to a higher volume of produce and in return higher income.
- Low disease and pest actions due to minimal weed growth.
- Weed control is possible and in return can better the tubers’ size and yield level.
- Quality tubers are produced.
Cost of Potato Drip Kit in Kenya
Drip Kit Prices vary depending on the farm size, number of lines per bed. Our prices are below.
| Size / Lines Per Bed | 1 Line | 2 Lines | 3 Lines |
| 1 Acre | 65,000 | 95,000 | 130,000 |
| 1/2 Acre | 30,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 |
| 1/4 Acre | 16,000 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| 1/8 Acre | 10,000 | 15,000 | 20,000 |
Best Drip Kit Suppliers in Kenya
Aqua Hub Kenya is the best potato irrigation farming drip kit supplier, dealing with pressure compensating driplines and connector kits.
Call 0790719020
