- Productivity and Popularity:
- Rosecoco beans have been admired for their productivity since ancient times.
- They have established a significant presence in the Kenyan cereal market.
- Both rural and urban farmers have found Rosecoco farming to be lucrative.
- Low Production Costs:
- Among bean farming varieties, Rosecoco beans are known for their low production costs.
- They require minimal attention from farmers, primarily planting and weeding.
- Strong Disease Resistance:
- Rosecoco beans are rated to have strong disease resistance.
- They can withstand various common bean diseases, reducing the need for intensive disease management practices.
- Adaptability to Kenyan Climatic Conditions:
- Rosecoco beans adapt well to the climatic conditions in Kenya.
- They thrive in various regions across the country, making them suitable for diverse farming environments.
Where to Grow Rosecoco in Kenya?
- Preferred Variety:
- Rosecoco beans are the principal variety preferred by farmers in Kenya.
- Planting Conditions:
- Beans can be planted anywhere in Kenya as long as the seasons allow and the soil has excellent drainage.
- Weather Considerations:
- Favorable weather conditions are crucial for the beans to thrive; otherwise, farmers might suffer losses.
- Soil Fertility:
- Poor soil fertility can result in lower yields or necessitate more frequent application of top dressing fertilizers.
- Soil Suitability:
- Rosecoco beans may not survive in waterlogged areas.
- Sandy soils may lead to poor performance.
- Regions of Flourishing:
- Rosecoco beans flourish in various regions of Kenya, including but not limited to:
- Western region
- Central region
- Nyanza region
- Eastern region
- Some parts of the Northern region
- Rift Valley region.
- Rosecoco beans flourish in various regions of Kenya, including but not limited to:
Planting
- Preparation of Bedding:
- Rosecoco beans require bedding of compost manure mixed well with soil.
- Planting Method:
- Holes can be dug about 3-5cm deep or in a single row.
- Seeding:
- Farmers can place 2 to 3 seeds in the same hole.
- Spacing:
- Spacing should be 15 to 20cm apart within the row.
- Between rows, the spacing should be 40 to 45cm.
- Season for Planting:
- Farmers should be aware of seasons favorable for planting.
- Rosecoco beans varieties perform well in the spring and summer seasons.
- Proper timing encourages higher yield.
Rosecoco Farming in Kenya: Harvesting
- Harvesting Schedule:
- Proper planting should be done regularly every 2 to 3 weeks to ensure continuous harvesting.
- Flowering Stage:
- Beans typically flower between 30 to 40 days after planting.
- Pod Development:
- After flowering, pods start bulging.
- Maturity:
- Pods reach maturity around two months (60 days) after flowering.
- Mature pods begin turning reddish.
- Harvest Time:
- Harvesting usually occurs between days 65 to 70 after planting.
- Regular harvesting is encouraged to increase yield.
- Ready pods are harvested, while green pods are left to mature further.
- Appearance of Mature Beans:
- Mature Rosecoco beans appear reddish with dark red patches spread all over the seed.
- Post-Harvest Handling:
- Pods may be separated from the bean plant and sold to vendors.
- Alternatively, farmers may choose to sundry the beans and separate the seeds from the pods later after drying.
Farming Cost and Yield per Acre
Yield Per Acre:
- Most farmers record Rosecoco beans yield per acre to be 7 bags minimum and 10 bags maximum.
- The approximate yield ranges from 630 to 900 kilograms per acre.
- Regular harvesting is essential for realizing maximum yield.
Price of Rosecoco Beans in Kenya (Per 90kg Sack):
- Prices vary depending on the region.
- Nairobi: Approximately Ksh. 7,000
- Kisumu: Approximately Ksh. 8,800
- Eldoret: Approximately Ksh. 9,900
- Mombasa: Approximately Ksh. 6,200
- Nakuru: Approximately Ksh. 8,500
- Average: Approximately Ksh. 8,080
- Prices are influenced by demand and production costs.
- Prices fluctuate throughout the year based on market demand.
- Rosecoco beans command higher prices due to high demand and widespread cultivation across Kenya.