Site and Seed selection

Land preparation

Plough your land. Break up all lumps of soil. Mix in well-rotted manure. Smooth the soil surface.

Your soil test will tell you which fertilisers to add to your soil and how much. Usually you will be told to add an NPK fertiliser from Mavuno at planting. This contains Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium, and sometimes other nutrients too.

Seed selection

Always buy certified seeds. Certified seeds:

• Give high yields. 95-100% of the seeds will grow & therefore you will use less seed
• Are resistant to some diseases
• Have a longer shelf life

Choose your variety based on your soil test results, climate and what the market wants. You can buy these varieties from Royal Seed. Below is a list of their varieties:

RED PINNOY F1 from Royal Seed

• Good for all areas
• Deep red attractive bulbs with a high market demand
• Early maturity; matures in 90 days
• Strong pungency
• Yields per acre: 25 tonnes
• Long shelf life of up to 6 months at room temperature
  

RED CREOLE from Royal Seed

• Good for medium - low altitude areas
• Deep red colour
• Matures in 150 days
• Ideal onion for the fresh market
• Yields per acre: 20 tonnes
• Good storage quality
• Long shelf life of up to 6 months at room temperature

BOMBAY RED from Royal Seed

• Good for all areas
• Deep purple red colour
• Matures in 150 days
• Yields per acre: 20 tonnes
• Very popular red onion with farmers and the market
• Very pungent onion
• Excellent shelf life and transportability

TEXAS EARLY GRANO from Royal Seed

• A high yielding variety well adapted for the tropics
• White colour with golden exterior
• Matures in 120 days
• Yields per acre: 21 tonnes
• Very popular white onion with farmers and the market
• Excellent shelf life and transportability

For more information on where to get these onion varieties in your area and how to plant them, sign up to our mobile service iShamba through their website or by SMSing the word VIJANA to 21606.