What to know before venturing into LETTUCE FARMING

Deep in the heart of a small and calm Gatuikira village, Kiambu County, Moses Munga is reaping well by cultivating lettuce and other horticultural crops. Before he ventured into farming, Munga was employed as a driver but retirement saw him back to upcountry.

He chose farming lettuce since they are well rewarding and has less competition. Munga is capitalizing on the good, cool climate, his home area enjoys. He also close to bigger markets such as Nairobi, Thika and Wangige where he sells his produce.

Lettuce requires relatively cool temperatures and ample sunlight to grow well. According to Munga, lettuce require fertilizer during growing period. For his crops, he uses manure and applies steady irrigation during dry spell. “What does not bother me is the market of my crops. Several traders keep on calling me to know when I am harvesting,” he said.

The crop is most often used for salads and in other kinds of food such as; soups, sandwiches and wraps. However, there is little acceptance and consumption of lettuce in Kenya. He sells each piece at 20 and 25 Kenya shillings when the market demand is even higher.

The first step to producing high quality lettuce is to choose the variety you want to grow and proper preparation of the seed beds. Currently in Kenya there are two types of lettuce that farmers are cultivating; butter head and loose leaf.

Munga is specializing in growing butter head variety and to achieve its desired quality he has to meticulously follow the laid down procedures of planting the crop. He discovered the procedures through carrying out research from the internet.

One thing he discovered is that the crop needs a lot of attention and lots of commitment due to its delicate way of growing which makes most farmers in the country shun it. “The fields need to be free of weeds. Weeds do compete with lettuce in terms of nutrients hence affecting the quality of the crop, “he said.

To grow the crop, he first sows the seeds in a nursery bed. “The soil should be mixed with well-composted manure before sowing the seeds. The nursery should be watered every day for the seeds to sprout, which happens after 10 days.” He advises.

Before applying the manure, he dries it for a week and mixes it with ash which kills pests accumulated

during the decomposing period. Munga transplants the seedlings after four weeks; they take about six weeks to start forming the heads.

“Top dressing is recommended at 40 days after transplanting. During this period, three nodes are removed at the tips of the plant to improve branching and to increase the size of the heads. Weed

control should be shallow, to avoid damaging the roots. Mulching reduces moisture loss and weed problems,” he said.

His advice is that “before one delves into farming, he should have a plan for cost management, know

what amount will be spent on everything including purchase of seeds, land leasing if one don’t have

one, watering expenses, input costs, and labor.

This gives you an estimate of cost expenditure. Also, have your price estimates and yield estimates and calculate the potential earnings when there is glut and when there is shortage of the commodity in the market, to be able gain maximum profit,” he explained.

His advice to young people is to follow their passion and be committed in their work. ‘’If you have an interest in farming and you have a piece of land, do something however small it may be, it will earn you some cash since people will eat every day, “he advised.