Red chili peppers are a type of chili pepper that are red in color. The scientific name for red chili peppers is Capsicum annuum. Red chili peppers are part of the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes and bell peppers.
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| Chilli Pepper Harvest |
Red chili peppers are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Red chili peppers are used as a spice in many dishes, including curries. Red chili peppers can be eaten fresh or dried and powdered. The main bioactive compound in red chili peppers is capsaicin, which gives them their pungent taste.
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Step-by-Step Process
1. Choose the Right Chilli Variety
The
first step in chilli farming is to choose the right variety.
The
major chilli varieties grown in Kenya include Bird’s Eye chilli, African bird’s
eye chilli, and Habanero chilli. Others include Jalapeno and Serenade and Cayenne Pepper. It is essential to select a
variety that is well-suited for the climatic conditions in your area.
2. Site Selection and Land Preparation
Chilies
thrive in well-drained soils like sandy, sandy loam, loam, and clay loam. It's
best to avoid saline, waterlogged, and clay-heavy soils for chili plants.
Seedlings are prone to diseases, so crop rotation is essential. Fields should
not have recently grown tomatoes, brinjals, peppers, or white potatoes.
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To
prepare the soil, plow it to match the anticipated root depth and break up any
clumps. The ideal depth for soil preparation is usually between 12 and 18
inches. Mixing in remnants of the previous crop during plowing will add organic
matter to the soil.
This
approach helps create ideal soil conditions for strong seedlings, promotes
healthy plant growth, and leads to better harvests.
3. How to Grow Chilli Plant
- Growing seedlings in raised bed nurseries for transplanting to the field
- Growing seedlings in seedling trays, and using sterilized growing medium
- Planting Seed in Ridges
a. Growing Chili Seedlings in Raised Beds
Create raised beds that
are 1.5 to 2 feet high, with a size of about 4 x 6 feet or 8 x 12 feet. Avoid
flat nursery beds because they retain too much moisture, which can harm young
plants. Place the nursery close to a water source and prepare the soil by
tilling it, ensuring it is free of clumps. Raised beds help excess water drain
away, promoting healthy root growth and reducing diseases. Apply a small amount
of complete fertilizer, around 0.5 to 1 kg, to support seedling development.
Once
the bed is ready, use a straight tool to make small furrows for planting seeds.
Space the seeds about 2-3 inches apart in the rows. After planting, cover them
with ash or straw and water gently to avoid displacing the seeds.
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2. Seedling Trays
Another
approach is to use seedling trays, made of plastic or natural materials like
compressed peat moss. These trays have separate cells for each seedling,
preventing root entanglement. This allows for easier transplanting without
damaging the roots, as seedlings can be moved with some soil intact.
When
using trays, it's best to use sterilized soil or a commercial growing medium.
Sterilization eliminates harmful fungi, giving seedlings a healthier start. You
can make your own sterilized soil by mixing equal parts loamy soil, shredded
peat moss, and sand.
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Seedling
trays can be placed in raised beds or suitable areas. To protect against
insects, cover the nursery with fine mesh netting. Water the seedlings
regularly to keep them healthy. When they are 25-35 days old, they are ready to
be transplanted. Water the nursery thoroughly a few hours before transplanting
to soften the soil, reducing damage when removing the seedlings.
Use
a small spade or trowel to gently lift the seedlings. For seedlings in trays,
carefully pull out the plants while bending or twisting the tray. Discard any
weak or diseased plants.
At
transplanting time, treat seedlings with a liquid NPK fertilizer containing
zinc, plus appropriate insecticides and fungicides. Mix according to product
labels and apply either by dipping the roots or pouring into the planting
holes.
Water
the field a few hours before transplanting to provide moisture for the new
seedlings. You can transplant them by hand or use a mechanical transplanter.
3. Direct Seeding in the Field
You can plant seeds directly in
well-prepared, leveled beds. First, create the ridges and then water them.
Allow the ridges to settle for a few days. If you are using furrow irrigation,
make sure to sow the seeds where the moisture level ends. This ensures that the
seeds get enough water for germination and growth without becoming waterlogged.
Water regularly to prevent drought stress on the young seedlings
Transplanting
After
4-6 weeks, transplant seedlings into the main field, maintaining a spacing of
60 cm between rows and 45 cm between plants, and water immediately after.
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| Chilli Pepper Farming Field |
Spacing
Spacing should be 45cm (within rows) by 60cm (between
rows) Intercropping-Intercropping can supplement income from the farm. Spacing
of 1 -2 m for intercrop production is recommended depending on the crop.
Mulching
Mulching
involves placing dry plant materials on the soil between rows. This technique
helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. By doing this, the need for hand
weeding decreases, which lowers the risk of spreading diseases like bacterial
wilt and fusarium wilt through dirty tools.
Fertilization
Apply
organic fertilizers (compost/manure) before and during the growing season.
Inorganic fertilizers like NPK should be used in moderation to enhance growth.
Pests and Diseases
Chili
plants face several common diseases, including anthracnose, bacterial wilts,
Fusarium wilt, late blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, and rust. Viral
infections, such as the tobacco mosaic virus and cucumber mosaic virus,
significantly shorten the productive lifespan of chili fields.
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To
control these diseases, it is important to use certified seeds and maintain
cleanliness in the fields. Remove any plants infected with viruses, which may
have mottled leaves or stunted growth. Practicing crop rotation can also help.
For fungal infections, applying fungicides is essential.
Chilli Harvesting
Chilies
are typically ready for their first harvest 2.5 to 3 months or 60-80 days after
transplanting. Picking can last for 3 to 4 months, and it’s best to gather all
the red ripe chilies as soon as they are visible. Harvesting can occur once or
twice a week. Only pick mature, deep red chilies that are no longer than 2 cm,
and detach them from their stalks. Avoid collecting any damaged, overripe, or
green chilies for drying. The best time to harvest is early in the day after
the morning dew has dried. Harvest when fully mature and firm, using manual or
machine methods.
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| Chilli Pepper |
Post-Harvest Handling
After
harvesting, sort chillies by size and quality, pack them in ventilated
containers, and store in a cool, dry place to minimize spoilage.
Economic
and Market Insights:
- Importance:
Chilli farming contributes significantly to Kenya's economy, accounting
for 23% of GDP and employing over 40% of the population.
- Market Challenges:
After new EU regulations in 2019, many Kenyan exporters shifted from
European markets to lower-return Middle Eastern markets due to high pest
control costs, which are often unaffordable for smallholder farmers.
Best Conditions for Growth:
- Weather:
Ideal temperatures range from 22°C to 35°C. Chilli thrives in hot, humid
conditions while cool, wet weather can hinder growth and increase disease
risk.
- Soil: Sandy loam,
loam, and clay loam are preferable, with well-aerated and drained
properties being critical for optimal yield.
Additional Considerations:
- Common Diseases:
Watch for anthracnose, bacterial wilt, and various viral infections.
Employ strategies like certified seeds, crop rotation, and fungicide
applications for control.
- Nutritional Value:
Chillies are rich in vitamins (A, B, C), minerals (iron, potassium), and
beneficial compounds (capsaicin) that provide health benefits.
In
conclusion, following these steps can help smallholder farmers cultivate and
profit from chilli farming in Kenya, taking advantage of both local and
international market opportunities.
- Seedlings per acre: 100-125g
- Spacing: 45cm by 60 cm
- Market price per kg: Ksh. 70-110
- Yield per acre: 4-5 tons or 120-150 bags
- Common diseases: anthracnose, bacterial wilts, Fusarium wilt, late blight, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust.
- Lifespan: 70-120 days
Frequently Asked Questions
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