10 types of kale that you'll want to grow in Kenya (pictures)

 

If you want to grow kale for commercial purposes, you need a kale variety that has a fast growth rate and can grow from seed to harvest in about three months. That means you can grow the crop multiple crops in a year, thus increasing their yields and profits. The most crucial part is the crop’s potential for high yields. In other words, even if you get the best kale variety that suits your climate and is in demand, it may mess up your bottom line if it does not have high yields. Types of kale should you grow in Kenya Marrow Stem and Southern Georgia Collard are the different types of kale grown in Kenya. But many more Sukuma Wiki varieties can help you maximize your yields and profits. Here are ten of them: 1. Tausi F1 Kale Tausi F1 kale. Photo: @Seed Co Kenya Source: Facebook Tausi F1 Kale is one of the best kale varieties in Kenya. It has a unique, palatable taste, and its leaves are bluish-green. Tausi F1 Kale is ideal for commercial farming because it matures within 40 days, ready for first picking. This kale variety is preferred because it has huge leaves. Also, farmers do not have to worry about pests and diseases because the variety is resistant to Black and stem rot. Also, you can harvest the kale within one year. 2. Lacinato Kale Lacinto kale. Photo: @Mlango Farm Source: Facebook Lacinato Kale is a popular vegetable in Kenya due to its nutritional value and versatility in cooking. Farmers usually grow it in rainfed and irrigated land, making it suitable for nearly all regions of Kenya. But it works best for warm climates with little rainfall or minimal irrigation.  Lacinato Kale is a good kale variety, although it takes 60-80 days to mature. However, since it produces large leaves, you can harvest the baby or full-sized leaves within a few weeks after planting. 3. Curly Kale Curly kale. Photo: @Caro Herbs Source: Facebook Curly Kale is a Sukuma Wiki variety that you can grow in many soil types in Kenya. The crop is sensitive to high temperatures and drought. Therefore, it requires constant irrigation in drought-stricken areas. The crop works well in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Curly Kale can produce up to six tonnes per acre if the cultivation conditions are right. Expect to harvest the crop around 60-80 days after planting when the plant reaches maturity. 4. Mfalme F1 Kale Mfalme F1 kale. Photo: @Shamba Shape Up Source: Facebook Mfalme F1 Kale is a hybrid variety of collard greens. It is slowly gaining popularity among small-scale farmers in Kenya because of its yield potential. This kale produces uniform and tender leaves. It is resistant to pests and diseases, making it a reliable choice for farmers. . Mfalme F1 Kale takes 45 days to mature. The Mfalme F1 yield per acre can reach around 15 tonnes during that period. Its profits are also astronomical because the crop has wide market acceptability. 5. Red Kale Red kale. Photo: @Carmen Johnston Gardens Source: Facebook Red Kale is a collard green variety that can grow in almost any part of Kenya. The crop is known for its sweet and tender taste and unique appearance with green leaves and purple-red stems. It can produce a minimum of eight tonnes per acre. Farmers grow Red Kale by transplanting or directly seeding. The baby kale is usually ready for harvest 25 days after sowing, and the full-sized leaves after 50 days. Red Kale has better yields for small farmers. 6. Kinale Kale Kinale kale. Photo: @Cosmas Katana Source: Facebook Kinale Kale is one of the best sukuma wiki varieties in Kenya. The crop gets its name from the small town of Kinale, widely known for its large-scale vegetable farming. Kinale Kale is a high-yielding crop that you can harvest within three months after planting.  This kale is disease and pest resistant, especially if you get the Kinale (CAB 1) variety. Kinale Kale can yield between nine and 25 tonnes per acre. However, you can only get better yields through proper crop management. 7. Kanzira Kale Kanzira kale. Photo: @Farm Agrisolutions Source: Facebook Kanzira Kale is a kale variety mostly grown in Western Kenya. The crop is highly nutritious Kenyan food and appears in dark green leaves. Kanzira Kale works well in different climates, including full sun or partial shade. It also prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter and minimum rainfall of 500mm. If all the growing conditions are right, Kanzira Kale will be ready for harvest within 60 days. This kale produces up to 15 tonnes an acre. 8. Malkia F1 Kale Malkia F1 kale. Photo: @AFarmers Media Source: Facebook Malkia F1 Kale is an early maturing variety of collard greens producing large leaves and delivering excellent leaf quality. The crop is a favourite among large-scale farmers in Kenya because it is an open-field type of kale that can be grown in full sun.  Malkia F1 Kale matures faster. You can harvest it within 60 days after planting. The kale requires a minimum rainfall of 750mm. It is resistant to most pests. However, proper crop management is crucial to ensure better yields. On average, Malkia F1 Kale produces 24 tonnes per acre. 9. Tosha Kale Tosha kale. Photo: @The Farmers Guide Uganda Source: Facebook Tosha Kale is a kale variety known for its high yields and long harvesting period. The is arguably one of the best types of kale to farm in Kenya because it can produce between 12 and 25 tonnes per acre. Tosha Kale also matures faster than other kale varieties. You can start harvesting its baby leaves after one month of transplanting. However, the crop yields better if grown between 1,000 and 2,500 metres above sea level. 10. Perennial Kale Perennial kale. Photo: @Incredible Vegetables Source: Facebook While not common in Kenya, Perennial Kale is the best kale variety to grow in Kenya. Small-scale farmers can benefit from the crop because it can grow and produce large leaves for multiple years without replanting.  Perennial Kale produces dark green leaves. Its leaves have a long shelf life, hence a better option for small traders. The advantage of Perennial Kale is that it is a low-maintenance vegetable. You can grow it in full sun or partial shade. Perennial kale prefers well-drained soil. Also, it is ready for harvest after 60 days of transplanting and can produce at least ten tonnes per acre. Types of kale - Wrapping up The above are the ten different types of kale grown in Kenya. These kale varieties have a short maturity date of around three months. Also, they are high-yielding varieties and can be profitable if grown for commercial purposes. Tuko.co.ke shared a guide about the types of edible mushrooms in Kenya. Mushrooms are valued in Kenya for their nutritional value and therapeutic benefits. Mushroom cultivation is one of Kenya's most profitable agriculture ventures. Don't be misled into thinking that every mushroom is edible. Some mushrooms are edible, while others are poisonous, and you must know the difference. But which mushrooms are edible? Find out here. BY TUKO NEWS