Ideas on how to use tiny spaces to grow crops

As population increases leading to subdivision and decreased land for agriculture, there is a need for innovative solutions to farm in small spaces.

These were some of the technologies showcased during the Annual Farmers Field Day at Waruhiu Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Githunguri, Kiambu County.

One such solution was the use of pyramids and sacks to grow vegetables. 

Spinach on sacks

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“This method is great for urban farmers with limited space. It is easier to monitor and provides good yield with minimum cost. Using this model, we teach farmers how to use a small space of land to produce organically grown food crops like herbs and vegetables,” Peter King’ori, a training expert, explained to farmers at the forum.

One of the attractions at ATC was a model farm that sits on a quarter acre and managed by Trees for the Future. It attracted hundreds of farmers and agriculture students. The model farm has fodder crops, fruit trees, vegetables, and legumes and is subdivided into sections with agricultural technicians deployed at every section to educate farmers.

“Trees for the Future partnered with the ATC to establish a model forest garden where farmers and other stakeholders can learn how to grow fruit trees and food crops side by side,” Ben Oucho, technician supervisor Trees for the Future, said.

The field day offered an opportunity for farmers to engage policymakers and agricultural experts on the challenges they were facing.

Dynamics of organic farming

Farmers also learned the dynamics of organic farming, a trend gaining popularity as more consumers embrace healthy eating. Steve Murimi, a technician at Trees for the Future, advised farmers to embrace organic farming since crops are grown organically have a ready market.

“Land preparation is key and it’s critical to prepare your own compost on-site. Compost helps by feeding plants, cutting down on weeds, conservation of water, and keeps the environment clean,” he said.

Technicians took farmers through process of preparing compost manure that is sustainable and environment friendly. Farmers were also trained on how to formulate feeds for their livestock using affordable and readily available raw materials.

Planting calliandra as a fence and for feeds for livestock was also highlighted as a climate-smart strategy.

“You need to plant calliandra around your farms because of its many benefits. Calliandra acts as a fence, and is also fodder for livestock. It can also be mixed with other feeds to formulate nutritious mixes for livestock,” Murimi explained.

No fertiliser needed

For instance, Murimi explained, you can mix 30kg of Calliandra, 50kg of dry leaf, 18kg of maize ram and 2kg of wheat bram for a 100kg nutritious animal feeds. In the forest garden, farmers were also shown how crops can be planted together with trees.

They demonstrated that normal beans and French beans can be planted together, grow well and produce good harvest. “Many people assume that French and normal beans cannot be planted together. But in our demonstration plot, we have seen that they thrive well together,” they explained.

A technician Maryanne Kamau, said in a forest garden, use of fertiliser or any form of pesticides is discouraged. Instead, they use other plants to repel insects or mix others and use as insecticides or pesticides.

“To control pests, we have Mexican marigold, onions, dhania and other crops with strong smell and act as repellants in the farm,” Ms Kamau said.

She also revealed incorporating runner beans when planting courgettes controls squash beetle. Kamau warned that if you plant courgettes alone in the farm, you might lose everything due to squash beetle attack.

“The idea is this: The runner beans will continue producing leaves, that squash beetle continue feeding on as courgettes grow. By the time the squash beetles realises there are courgettes, they will be ready for harvesting and therefore minimising losses,” she explained.

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