Chia seeds are small ovals, mottle-colored with brown, gray, black, and white varieties.
Before
we delve into the nitty-gritty of chia seed farming, it is important to
understand why chia seeds are so important.
- It is the richest plant source of omega-3 fats that help lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and prevent heart diseases.
- They are used to make therapeutic tea.
- Chia seeds are rich in minerals such as niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.
- They are rich in fiber: 2 tablespoon of chia seeds equals 7 grams of fiber.
In
Kenya, chia seed farming is done in Nakuru, Meru, Nanyuki, and Busia counties. The
most dominant chia seed growing county is Busia. Busia County has the same
geographical climate as Eastern Uganda, which produces more than 90% of all
chia seeds planted in the country. More than 2,000 farmers in Homabay, Busia,
and Bungoma counties harvest more than 8 tons per season, selling it to a
Danish organization.
Chia Seed Farming in Kenya: How Profitable Is It, Complete Guide on Growing it.
Climate and Soil Conditions
Chia
plants thrive in regions with warm temperatures and well-drained soil. They
require plenty of sunlight for optimal growth.
Sandy
loam or loamy soils are ideal for chia cultivation. The soil should have a pH
level ranging from slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0 to 8.0). "Soil
fertility is also important, and organic matter content should be moderate to
high," he says.
Choose
high-quality chia seeds from a reputable source. Ensure they are suited to your
climate and growing conditions.
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| Chia Seeds |
Varieties
There
are two main types of chia seeds. The most common is the black chia and white
chia seed. The best way to know the variety of chia seeds that you have is to
look at the colors of the flowers. If the chia plant produces purple flowers,
it will produce brown colored seeds.
It
is these brown colored seeds that we will refer to as Black Chia. On the other
hand, if the chia plant produces white flowers, the seeds will be white.
CHIA SEED: THE INDISPENSABLE SUPERFOOD IN KENYA
Establishment
Chia
is a low-maintenance crop that prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soils -
light to medium clay or sandy soils. While moisture is necessary for seedling
establishment, this crop is highly intolerant of water logging or overly wet
soils at the mature stage. It can cope well with acid soils and moderate
drought. For this reason, it is best grown in areas that receive moderate to
low rainfall. High temperatures during the harvesting time are necessary to
help the crop dry well. During this time, rains may ruin the crop.
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| Chia Seed Crop at the Farm |
Soil preparation
Prepare
the soil by tilling it to a fine texture and removing any weeds or debris. Chia
plants prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 8.0.
Keep
the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the germination period,
which typically lasts one to two weeks.
Once
established, chia plants are fairly drought-tolerant but will still require
regular watering, especially during dry periods.
Planting
The
Chia seeds are very tiny and therefore, when planting them you do not need to
dig holes for the seeds. An acre of land might require about 10 kilos of the
seeds. During planting, plough the land and harrow it to obtain a level ground
with smooth top soils. Sow the seeds thinly and evenly, about a quarter to a
half inch deep, with rows spaced about 12 to 18 inches apart and cover them
with a light cover of soil.
Planting
should be done during the onset of rains. However, you can plant Chia seeds
under irrigation in which case you should make sure you water them on a daily
basis till they all germinate.
Chives Farming in Kenya: A Potential Source of Income for Farmers
Germination
Chia
seeds germinate in about a week’s time. Once they germinate and grow to about
15cm, thin them to remain with healthy plants spaced about a foot from each
other. Chia seeds also germinate do well in pots or nursery polythene bags
which is perfect for those with small spaces like the home or backyard garden.
Simply sprinkle a few seeds on to each pot or paper bag which is filled with
soil and make sure you water them regularly. When the sprouts are about 3
inches tall, you can now transplant them onto a well prepared and watered field.
Fertilizer
Chia
can be cultivated under low fertilizer input, using 50 kg nitrogen per acre or
in some cases, no fertilizer is used. Organic manure is recommended and 5 tones
per acre applied before planting would be sufficient. Irrigation frequency in
chia production fields may vary from none in relatively wet areas, to about
once a week in very dry areas.
Pests and Diseases
Neither
insects nor diseases have posed a problem in places where Chia has been grown
in Kenya to date. No major pests or diseases affect the Chia crop because the
essential oils in Chia leaves have repellent properties against insects. This
makes Chia a suitable crop for organic farming and easy to manage and care for.
However, virus infections possibly transmitted by white flies may occur and can
be checked by controlling these carriers.
Weeding
Weed
management is most critical during establishment; chia is sensitive to most
commonly used herbicides hence mechanical weeding is preferred. However, weeds
become less of an issue once the canopy closes. Despite the fact that Chia is
an aggressive crop, researchers are not concerned that it could become invasive
or present a problem for subsequently planted crops.
Harvesting
The
Chia crop is ready for harvesting when the spikes start drying up and turning
brown. If you wait until the flower head turn completely brows, you risk losing
the seeds. Begin harvesting your chia as soon as most of the petals have fallen
off the flower.
Chia
seeds need to be harvested during the dry season as the seed is hydrophilic, that is, it attracts water; it is covered by a microscopic fiber that turns to gel when
it comes in contact with water. The gelling is one of the key nutritional and
functional benefits of Chia and if it gets rain on it, the crop loses this
essential value.
The
easiest way to harvest Chia is to pick it. You can also use a sickle knife to
cut off the heads. Once harvested, collect the heads and give them time to dry
in paper bags or on a drying rack. It is fast and easy to crush the dried
flower heads and extract the chia seeds by rubbing with a flat hand.
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| Chia Seeds |
Chia Seed Market
Chia
is one of the highest sources of omega-3 fatty acids known. Currently, with
this fact getting known by many people across the world, Chia seed and seed
products (such as oil) have a much higher demand than ever was. Human
consumption of omega-3 has been linked to many health benefits, including a
lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and possibly stroke, as well as improved
brain functions.
The
healthy foods industries are currently marketing raw Chia seeds as a dietary
supplement, as well as incorporating the seeds into snack foods, drink mixes,
and cereals; milled chia is sold for use as flour. The global market for
nutraceuticals is continuing to grow due to an aging population, interest from
a broader spectrum of consumers in functional foods that include ingredients
like omega-3 fatty acids, and increasing interest and use in preventative
medicine. This market is expected to grow based on current nutritional trends.
Increasing awareness of the health benefits of omega-3 foods has fueled an
industry that is currently unable to meet the high demand.
Chia
is also used in pet and livestock feeds. Chia is a good candidate for organic
production, an added benefit in selling to the health food market. Currently
there is little difference between the price returns of conventionally produced
chia and organic chia because of the high demand and low supply. However, as
supply increases, organic chia should bring higher price premiums.
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| Chia Seed Crop Field |
Locally,
major clients include people dealing with dietary conditions such as diabetics,
people with high blood pressure and parents of young children that require omega3
fatty acids. Up and coming farmers also provide a huge market.
- Seedlings per acre – 10 kilos per acre of seeds
- Spacing – 12-18 inches between rows
- Market price – Ksh. 500 per kg
- Yield – 400kgs
- Common pests – rarely attacked by pests
- Common diseases – white flies caused infections but rare
- Lifespan – one growing season (can be grown 3 times a year)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Chia seeds grow in Kenya?
- Is Chia seed farming profitable in Kenya?
- How much does a kilogram of Chia seed sell in Kenya?
- How much Chia seeds per acre?
- What is the yield of Chia seeds?
- How is the Chia seed market locally and for export?
- Which are the best climatic conditions for Chia seed crop farming?
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