Ginger Farming In Kenya, Comprehensive Guide

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscor) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. The plant grows to a height of approximately 60 – 120 cm (2 – 4 ft). Ginger is a rhizome. This means that it has an underground
stem which often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. This crop is grown for its highly scented rhizome. Its sweet, pungent and aromatic rhizome is used as a spice in culinary preparations, as a flavouring agent in beverages and in a number of traditional medicines.

The ginger is commercially available in three forms:

• Fresh rhizome
• Processed: dried, ground, candied
• Pure oils

The fresh produce obtains a high price on the local market compared to other underground type crops.

Land Preparation on Ginger Farming

Ginger can be grown on many soil types, but a sandy clay loam or sandy loam soil will encourage better rhizome shape and size. Avoid planting in flood prone areas. This crop grows well at a pH of 5.6 – 6.5. A soil test is recommended to determine the soil pH and the amount of limestone and
fertiliser needed for optimum crop growth.

This crop has a high demand for potash and must be grown in full sunlight for maximum yields.

The following land preparation practices are recommended:

• Clear the area of all vegetation.
• Deep plough.
• Add limestone based on the soil test results.
• Add cured (well-rotted) manure to improve soil structure and fertility.
• Rotavate and make ridges (banks) 60 – 90 cm (2 – 3 ft) high and 60 – 90 cm (2 – 3 ft) apart
• On slopes, plough along the contours to minimise soil erosion.
• Apply a pre-emergent weedicide to the soil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations before planting the crop.

Varieties of Ginger

Ginger variety names are given based on the location or regions in which they are grown. However, in Kenya the most popular varieties are:

• Large yellow referred to as the Chinese ginger, which has a low to medium pungency level and is in high demand by consumers.
• Small yellow referred to as the Japanese ginger, which has a high pungency (sharp scent) level but is low in demand.

Large and small are distinguished mainly based on the thickness of the rhizome and the level of pungency.

Selection and Preparation of planting material

Ginger is propagated asexually using pieces of rhizomes called “settes”. The flowers of the plants are usually sterile and rarely set seeds.

Asexual propagation – cultivating plants using plant parts other than seeds

Select planting material which are healthy, free from signs of pest and disease, mature, firm and not dried or shrivelled.

• Soak the rhizomes in clean water for 10 – 12 hours to stimulate sprouting.
• Cut the rhizomes into 5 cm (2 inches) settes with a few growing buds.
• Soak the settes in a copper based fungicide and insecticide/nematicide solution for 10 minutes, drain and then plant.

Note: Yields are not affected by sette size.

Planting and spacing ginger per acre

Plant settes 30 cm (1 ft) apart within the rows and at a depth of 3 – 5 cm (1.2 – 2 inches), with the growing buds facing up.

Within 3 – 6 weeks after planting the shoot can be seen above ground, provided that the soil is moist.

Approximately 50,000 plants are required for one hectare.
Approximately 1800 – 2000 lbs./acre or 818 – 909 kg/ha of planting material is needed for propagation.

Irrigation

Water is needed to keep the soil moist throughout the life of the crop. However, too much water and lack of proper drainage cause the rhizomes to rot.

Soil moisture is critcal at the time of planting to prevent the sprouts on the settes from dying and the planting material from drying out.

Mulching

Mulching should be practiced to conserve moisture in the soil around the plant and also keep weed growth down. Mulching is done by placing dry grass or leaves around the growing plant.

Weed Management

Weeds compete with the growing plants for moisture, nutrients and sunlight. They also harbour pests and diseases.

Remember a pre-emergent weedicide should be applied to the soil before planting to suppress weed growth.

Remove weeds manually (cutlass, hoe) or control with contact weedicides using a shield to prevent chemical drift onto the growing crop.

Always use protective gear when mixing and applying agricultural chemicals.

Fertiliser Application

The ginger plant requires all the elements for optimum growth and production. These elements are usually provided by the growing medium. The elements oxygen and carbon dioxide are taken up from the atmosphere.

Commercial fertilisers are used to enhance the nutrient levels in the soil.

It is important to understand the types of fertilisers and amounts for each plant at the different stages of development.

Use the results of the soil test to determine the type and amounts of fertilisers to be used for growing the crop.

If a soil test is not performed, four (4) fertiliser applications are recommended.

Recommended Ginger Farming Fertiliser Schedule

Moulding

Rhizomes must be planted on ridges to produce good quality ginger. This makes the moulding (the art of pulling soil around the plant) operation easier and less time consuming.

• The ginger rhizome develops a greenish colour when exposed to sunlight because of the development of chlorophyll. Moulding is therefore recommended.
• Soil should be periodically hilled (moulded) in the plant row to ensure vertical growth. This would overcome the tendency of the ginger rhizome to grow horizontally.

Moulding should begin when the shoots are approximately 30 cm (1 ft) high and should continue every 2 months throughout the life of the crop.

Pest Management

In Kenya the major pests of ginger include:

• Cutworms which damage the shoots as they emerge and
• Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp).

If the plants are infested with nematodes, they become stunted. Small water-soaked lesions may also appear in the rhizome and further destruction of the tissues is caused by other organisms.

Management and or Control of Cutworms and Nematodes

• Select healthy, pest-free planting material.
• Soak the planting material in a systemic
• solution for 10 minutes, drain and then plant.
• Practice proper field sanitation and crop rotation.
• Treat the soil before planting, and while the crop is growing, with a soil acting insecticide / nematicide.

When using chemicals, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as listed on the label. Follow the application rate and the pre-harvest interval (the time between the last pesticide application and harvest of the treated crops)

Disease Management

The major diseases which may affect ginger include:

• Bacterial wilt (Rostonia solanacearum)
• Bacterial soft rot (Erwinia spp)
• Fusarium rhizome rot (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Zingiberi).

These soil-borne diseases can be minimised by:

• Carrying out proper field sanitation and crop rotation.
• Selecting healthy, disease-free planting material.
• Soaking the planting material in a copper based fungicide solution for 10 minutes, draining and then planting.
• Treating the soil before planting and while the crop is growing with a soil acting fungicide.
• Soil fungicide treatments must be carried out every 2 months or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Maintaining proper drainage in the field.
• Using clean water to irrigate fields.

Harvesting

Ginger is harvested manually e.g. with a garden fork. The crop can be harvested at two different stages of maturity (young and mature).

• Young ginger is referred to the rhizome harvested at an early stage between 5 – 7 months after planting. At this stage the rhizome has not developed high fibre content.
  However, young ginger dehydrates easily and should be protected from direct sun.
  This ginger is not recommended to be used as planting material, since it dries out quickly and does not produce good quality shoots.
• Mature ginger is harvested 8 – 9 months after planting. At this stage the foliage (leaves) turns yellow and starts falling to the ground and the rhizomes are firm and glossy.

Average Yields Of Ginger

Large – 8200 -10000 kg/ha
(18000 – 22000 lbs./acre)

Small – 4500 – 5500 kg/ha
(10000 – 12000 lbs./acre)

Postharvest Handling

Ginger must be harvested at the mature stage (8 – 9 month) to extend its shelf life and maintain its quality. Harvested ginger must be placed in cool area away from direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight scorches the ginger and increases the heat within the produce.

Remove soil from around the rhizome: wash with clean water, air dry in a well ventilated shaded area and then allow for the curing process to take place.

Place rhizomes on racks, in a well-ventilated room for 3 – 5 days to allow all exposed tissues to heal and become firm before it is sold. This process is referred to as “curing”.

Cost of Production on ginger farming

When preparing a cost of production for a crop, consideration must be given to all the activities involved in growing this crop and the cost of the inputs. Some of these activites include land preparation, planting and fertilising.

Labour cost for planting, weed control, pest management and harvesting must also be considered.