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Canola production in nyeri , kenya. Paige Cross. Canola -- Brassica napus. Edible rapeseed developed in Canada in 1970s Two main varieties: Argentine ( napus ) and Polish ( rapa ) Low saturated fat 40% oil High meal protein Cooking oils, pressed cakes for animal feed, & biodiesel.
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Canola production in nyeri, kenya Paige Cross
Canola -- Brassicanapus • Edible rapeseed developed in Canada in 1970s • Two main varieties: Argentine (napus) and Polish (rapa) • Low saturated fat • 40% oil • High meal protein • Cooking oils, pressed cakes for animal feed, & biodiesel
Cultivation Brassicanapus Agroclimatic Needs • Higher yield potential • Taller • Higher oil content • 95 days to reach maturity • Best suited to clay-loam soils • Not very drought tolerant • High heat can reduce yields • Doesn’t tolerate standing water • pH of 5.8-7.5 • Elevation of 1800 and 2700m • Nyeri is 1750m
Cultivation Rotation Planting • Best results if following cereal grain or fallow in rotation • 2 years between plantings • In Kenya can be grown in relay/intercrops/cover crops, rotational crops, trap crops and for fodder. • In Nyeri, intercropped with wheat and castor • Possible rotation crops – flax, soybean, and lentil • Successive plantings increase disease risk • Susceptible to herbicide residues • In Kenya can be grown in relay/intercrops/cover crops, rotational crops, trap crops and for fodder. • Seedbed free of weeds, heavy crop residues, large clods • Cool season annual • Plant prior to short rains? • Moist, firm seed bed • Seed depth of 3/8-1/2 in (no more than 1 in) • 6-7 inch rows • 5 – 8 lbs of seed per acre • Strait combined using adjusted wheat combines
Cultivation Nutrients & Protection Harvesting • Nitrogen & Sulfer are key nutrients • Apply in band at least 2in. from seeds • Weed control program should include cultural, mechanical and chemical methods • Trifluralin and SonalanHerbicides • Diseases • Sclerotinia white mold, club root, blackleg, and stem rot • Herbicide Resistant (GMO) Canola • Price and Input Needs • Biodiversity & Environmental Impacts (both of canola and of nontarget species) • Herbicides can be used to control weeds, helps reduce tillage, prevents soil erosion and preserves soil moisture for plant production. • 95 days to maturity • Indeterminate • Pods mature from bottom of plant up • Once at full sides pods will dry o light brown in 3-4 weeks • Harvest when 1/3 are brown • Swathing to prevent shatter losses • 10-12 in above soil protects from rain loss • CAN ALSO BE CUT AND HARVESTED DIRECTLY • In Nyeri District, 1 acre can yield up to 1000 kg • Can be reduced by up to half if rainfall is low
Marketing Storage Issues Edible Oil Production • Must be stored tightly • Can sweat for 6 weeks after harvest • Heating and spoilage • Can also dry naturally in air or artificially • 110* F • Cooking oils are popular in Kenya • Only producing 1/3 of demand • Second highest valued import after petrolium • Home/Community Production • Approtech Oil Press • 1 ton of canola yields 250 – 300 liters of oil • Can press 150kgs/hr ($3700) • Manual can yield 20L a day (300) • Sell of Canola Seed to processors • Aberdare Oil Millers in Nyeri is one local miller of edible oils and fats
Marketing Press Cakes Biofuel • High Protein Animal Feed • 52% protein • Byproduct of oil production • Works well when complemented with soy meal cakes • More complete Amino Acid Profile • Community Energy Independence • Biodiesel to fuel local • Sell to local producers/NGOs • 1 acre producing 1000kg can earn 15,000 KsH annually • Sell through farmers group for 18 KSh/kg • Help Self Help Center • Nyeri, Kieni East Division • Eco-Energy Programme • Offers Technical Advice
Limitations & Unanswered Questions • Is Canola agroclimatically suited for production in Nyeri? • Would a different oil seed plant perform better? • Would canola production at the CYEC make sense due to the technological needs and scale required? • There is little available technical information on canola production in east Africa. • Most information here is adapted from technical guides for Nebraska and south Texas. • Contact Help Self Help Center for access to some of their resources?