CANOLA PRODUCTION IN NYERI, KENYA

Paige Cross

Canola -- Brassica napus 

Edible rapeseed developed in Canada in 1970s

Two main varieties: Argentine (napus) and Polish (rapa)

Low saturated fat 40% oil High meal protein Cooking oils, pressed cakes for animal

feed, & biodiesel

Cultivation

Higher yield potential

Taller Higher oil content 95 days to reach

maturity

Best suited to clay-loam soils

Not very drought tolerant High heat can reduce

yields Doesn’t tolerate standing

water pH of 5.8-7.5 Elevation of 1800 and

2700m Nyeri is 1750m

Brassica napus Agroclimatic Needs

Cultivation

Best results if following cereal grain or fallow in rotation 2 years between plantings In Kenya can be grown in

relay/intercrops/cover crops, rotational crops, trap crops and for fodder.

In Nyeri, intercropped with wheat and castor

Possible rotation crops – flax, soybean, and lentil

Successive plantings increase disease risk

Susceptible to herbicide residues In Kenya can be grown in

relay/intercrops/cover crops, rotational crops, trap crops and for fodder.

Seedbed free of weeds, heavy crop residues, large clods

Cool season annual Plant prior to short rains?

Moist, firm seed bed Seed depth of 3/8-1/2 in

(no more than 1 in) 6-7 inch rows 5 – 8 lbs of seed per acre Strait combined using

adjusted wheat combines

Rotation Planting

Cultivation

Nitrogen & Sulfer are key nutrients Apply in band at least 2in. from

seeds Weed control program should

include cultural, mechanical and chemical methods Trifluralin and Sonalan Herbicides

Diseases Sclerotinia white mold, club root,

blackleg, and stem rot Herbicide Resistant (GMO) Canola

Price and Input Needs Biodiversity & Environmental

Impacts (both of canola and of nontarget species)

Herbicides can be used to control weeds, helps reduce tillage, prevents soil erosion and preserves soil moisture for plant production.

95 days to maturity Indeterminate

Pods mature from bottom of plant up Once at full sides pods will dry o

light brown in 3-4 weeks Harvest when 1/3 are brown

Swathing to prevent shatter losses 10-12 in above soil protects from

rain loss CAN ALSO BE CUT AND HARVESTED

DIRECTLY In Nyeri District, 1 acre can yield up

to 1000 kg Can be reduced by up to half if

rainfall is low

Nutrients & Protection Harvesting

Marketing

Must be stored tightly Can sweat for 6

weeks after harvest Heating and spoilage

Can also dry naturally in air or artificially 110* F

Cooking oils are popular in Kenya Only producing 1/3 of demand Second highest valued import

after petrolium Home/Community Production

Approtech Oil Press 1 ton of canola yields 250 – 300

liters of oil Can press 150kgs/hr ($3700) Manual can yield 20L a day (300)

Sell of Canola Seed to processors Aberdare Oil Millers in Nyeri is one

local miller of edible oils and fats

Storage Issues Edible Oil Production

Marketing

High Protein Animal Feed 52% protein Byproduct of oil

production Works well when

complemented with soy meal cakes More complete Amino

Acid Profile

Community Energy Independence Biodiesel to fuel local

Sell to local producers/NGOs 1 acre producing 1000kg can

earn 15,000 KsH annually Sell through farmers group

for 18 KSh/kg Help Self Help Center

Nyeri, Kieni East Division Eco-Energy Programme Offers Technical Advice

Press Cakes Biofuel

Limitations & Unanswered Questions

Is Canola agroclimatically suited for production in Nyeri? Would a different oil seed plant perform better?

Would canola production at the CYEC make sense due to the technological needs and scale required?

There is little available technical information on canola production in east Africa. Most information here is adapted from technical

guides for Nebraska and south Texas. Contact Help Self Help Center for access to

some of their resources?