Traditional African vegetables in Kenya: production, marketing and utilization
| Local name (Luhya) | English | Botanical name |
|---|---|---|
| Lisebebe | pumpkin leaves | Cucurbita sp. |
| Lisutsa | black nightshade | Solanum nigrum |
| Miro | sunnhemp | Crotalaria brevidens |
| Murere | jute plant | Corchorus olitorius |
Contents
What vegetables are grown in Kenya?
The major vegetables produced in Kenya are: Irish Potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, snow peas, kales, spinach, runner beans, French beans, carrots, broccoli, indigenous vegetables, and Asian vegetables.
What fruits are native to Kenya?
Although fruits in Kenya are seasonal, there are always several types of fruits available at any one time in the country. Passion fruits, mangoes, pineapples, oranges, bananas, pears and papaws are the most popular fruits which are often sliced and served up for breakfast.
What vegetables are native to Africa?
Across the eastern part of Africa, some common vegetables include African black nightshade (solanum nigrum), stinging nettle, amaranth, spiderplant (cleome gynandra), Pumpkin, black-eyed peas commonly known as cowpeas, african eggplant, Ethiopian kale (brassica carinata) and okra.
Which are indigenous vegetables?
4. The nutritional value and socioeconomic role of indigenous vegetables in comparison with exotic species will be documented.
Traditional vegetables in Zimbabwe: the NGO agenda.
| Scientific name | Shona name | Ndebele name |
|---|---|---|
| Amaranthus hybridus | Mova guru | Imbuya |
| Amaranthus thumbergii | Mova | Imbuya |
| Bidens pilosa | Nhungunira | Ucucuza |
| Cleome gynandra | Nyeve/runi | Elude |
What is the most profitable vegetable to grow in Kenya?
Cabbage farming
Cabbage is arguably the most profitable crop per acre on our list and in Kenya at the moment. In a good season, an acre of cabbage can hold roughly 19,000 plants. Going by the current market price, such a number can comfortably fetch a farmer half a million shillings.
What grows best in Kenya?
Kenya is a leading producer of tea and coffee, as well as the third-leading exporter of fresh produce, such as cabbages, onions and mangoes. Small farms grow most of the corn and also produce potatoes, bananas, beans, peas and chillies.
What foods are native to Kenya?
Kenyan Food Overview: 20 of Kenya’s Best Dishes
- Ugali (Cornmeal Staple.
- Irio (Mashed Peas and Potato Mix)
- Githeri (Beans and Corn)
- Kenyan Pilau (Spiced Rice)
- Wali wa Nazi (Coconut Rice)
- Sukuma Wiki (Collard Greens / Kale)
- Kenyan Stew.
- Nyama Choma (Roasted Meat) – Pride of Kenyan Food.
What foods are grown in Kenya?
The main food crops in Kenya are maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), peas (Pisum sativum), bananas (Musa spp.) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). Maize (Zea mays) is the principal staple food of Kenya and it is grown in 90 per cent of all Kenyan farms.
What fish do they eat in Kenya?
Tilapia
Tilapia is the main fish of choice, although more and more consumers are starting to consume dried sardines (Omena) and Nile Perch fillets.
Are tomatoes indigenous to Africa?
Tomatoes are native to South America, in fact, several species are still found growing wild in the Andes. Brought to Mexico, tomatoes were domesticated and cultivated there by 500 BC.Columbus and/or Cortez brought tomatoes to Europe and the Spanish explorers took them throughout the world.
Are pineapples native to Africa?
Where pineapples are grown. Pineapple plants can mostly be found in Latin America and West Africa. In Europe, the majority of pineapples in our market come from Costa Rica, which supplies 75% of the pineapples found in the EU.
What fruit are native to Africa?
For probably as long as people have lived in Africa, they have eaten culturally and traditionally important indigenous fruits such as baobab, desert date, black plum, and tamarind.
What are native crops?
Native food crops are the crops of the world’s ancient farming systems.Examples of modern food crops that had their origin from native sources include corn, rice, chilies, potatoes, and wheat.
Which one is an indigenous fruit?
Indigenous fruits are those which are native to Africa, where they have originated and evolved over centuries. These are different to exotic fruits, such as citrus and even mango, which have been imported from other continents, although they may now be quite commonly grown in many areas.
What are indigenous crops?
The indigenous crops of India include several varieties of rice such as colored rice, aromatic rice, and medicinal rice varieties: millets, wheat, barley, and maize.The indigenous varieties of rice and millets are resistant to drought, salinity, and floods.
Which crops are in high demand in Kenya?
While agribusiness in Kenya is on a fast growth, the following crops have an even greater advantage in 2021:
- Passion fruit. If you are looking for a high-value crop that can produce an income in the first year, take a look at passion fruit farming.
- Strawberries.
- Mushrooms.
- Onions.
- Pawpaws.
Which is the best crop to plant in Kenya?
Tomatoes are one of the most profitable crops to plant in Kenya. Though the crop performs depending on seasons, there are high chances consistent farmers would make huge returns from the sales. Tomatoes can be harvested twice a year.
Can farming Make You Rich in Kenya?
Despite stable earnings for farmers in Kenya, the profession is mostly associated with older people living in rural areas. However, in recent years a new crop of young farmers has emerged. Armed with the knowledge of best practices, technology, and access to information on the best markets, they earn millions.
Is carrot farming profitable in Kenya?
Carrot farming has emerged as one of the highly valued and lucrative economic activities in Kenya as the country, under the Ministry of Agriculture, continues to advocate for agribusiness.
How can I farm millions in Kenya?
how to make money through farming in Kenya
- Selling to Local Businesses.
- Investing in Alternative Energy.
- Crop Rotation Habits.
- Improving Farm Equipment.
- Farmers Should Boost irrigation.
- Increase the use of fertilizers.
- Improve market access, regulations, and governance.
- Make better use of information technology.
