Bamboo farming in kenya; what you need to know

Last updated on June 9th, 2023 at 09:23 pm

This article focuses on bamboo farming in Kenya. Growing bamboo is a profitable business that many farmers in the country have yet to embrace.

Bamboo is a valuable tree that grows faster than other hardwoods.

Types of bamboo grown in Kenya

• Abyssinian
• Juniper Sabina
• Bambusa tulda.
• Bambusa vulgaris.
• Pinus kesiya.
• Dendrocalamus maximuslamina.
• Dendrocalamus asper
• Nnukwu Dendrocalamus
• Leucana leucocephala.
• Phyllostachys pubescens.
• Bambusa textiles

Environmental conditions for growing bamboo

• Soil does well with a pH of 6.5 to 8.
• Full sun.
• Bad water.
• Plenty of space between trees.

Bamboo plantation

The soil must be prepared well before planting. Weeding should be done well to avoid potential competition for food. The soil should be mixed with organic matter or compost to improve growth and ensure plant health.

Planting spaces should be spaced 5m by 5m to ensure proper growth. It is also advisable to apply nitrogen fertilizers regularly for better growth and increased moisture.

Bamboo pests and diseases

Bamboo is a useful plant that is not affected by diseases and pests. It has anti-viral properties that prevent viruses and diseases such as leaf rust.

Bamboo harvest
Bamboo takes about 3-4 years to mature and is ready to harvest. It is self-regenerating and can be brought for more than 10 years without transplanting.

Bamboo market in Kenya

As mentioned earlier, bamboo is a valuable plant that can be used for various purposes such as cosmetics, medicine and construction.

You can get from the factory using different factories.

A good example is Bidco and companies that produce products such as matches and matches.

Construction and landscaping companies are also buyers of bamboo.

To get a big harvest, you need to do a lot of marketing especially on social media channels to get a good number of customers/buyers.