Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya

Greenhouse sizes in Kenya range from smal units of 120M sq, to large commercial structures spanning dozens of acreage. The most common greenhouse size in Kenya are tabulated below

Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya

A. Small

2,880M sq of greenhouses contructed for a medium scale farmer in Heni area, nyandarua county. The target crop is herbs and spices

B. Medium

C. Large From 800M square. Kes 900 per meter square. We customise our price according to size, and your greenhouse budget

What determines greenhouse sizes in Kenya?

• Land area. The size of the greenhouse will be limited to the amount of land available to develop
• Water availability. The larger the greenhouse, the greater the water use
• Use. A seedlings propagation greenhouse unit in a fram will be smaller than the commercial units where these seedlings establish as crops in the same farm
• Budget. Greenhouse construction is a capital undertaking. The size of the greenhouse unit will be determined by the capital available

Greenhouse Sizes in Kenya

Construction materials

I. UV treated greenhouse polythene with anti drip properties

This is the key material that protects the crop from the elements of weather; sun, wind and rain. It creates the ‘greenhouse effect’, and minimises disease and pest incidences on the crop. It is either clear or yellow in color. Clear greenhouse polythene for fruiting crops, or in ornamentals, bi or multi colors. This is because it allows in more light which these need for photosynthesis, the process that makes food for the plants. Yellow is for vegetative crops, and mono color ornamentals. In mono color ornamentals, it intensifies the color

II. Galvanised steel bars

They provide structural support to the greenhouse, and also to the crop as ‘crop support structures’ for tall indeterminate crops such as; tomato, peppers, and cucumbers

III. UV treated high density insect nets

These nets keep away insect pests. They are for self pollinating (do not require external pollinators such as insects and birds) greenhouse crops

IV. Bird nets

These are only used in greenhouse crops that require insect pollination from bees, butterflies, hornets and many other pollinating insects. They allow in the insects, but keep away bird pests. An example of such a crop is strawberry

V. Profiles

They are screwed onto the galvanised steel bars so that the greenhouse cover is tucked in them

VI. Wiggle wires

Once the greenhouse cover is tucked in the profile, wiggle wires keep it in place so that it is not removed by wind or other physical force. Wiggle wires have a plastic covering to prevent damage to the greenhouse paper the are in direct contact with  

Wiggle wires hold in place a clear greenhouse polythene sheet tucked in a profile

VII. Screws

The join the profiles to the galvanised steel structure

VIII. Concrete

This is what supports the galvanised steel structures on the ground and keeps them upright  

Humidification through misters in a seedlings propagation greenhouse

Successful greenhouse farmers in Kenya grow both none food and food crops in our metallic greenhouses. Common greenhouse food crops are; tomato, peppers, strawberries, and cucumber.  Galvanised steel bars, insect netting, screws, and profiles are our greenhouse construction materials. With labor addition, all now constitute your final greenhouse cost Every Grekkon Limited greenhouse has a drip irrigation system for crop production, or a misting/ fogging system for seedlings propagation. Sprinkler irrigation systems are not installed in greenhouses  

Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya

FAQs

A 30M x 8M tunnel type greenhouse by Grekkon Limited in Rimuruti area, Laikipia county. Notice the front sanitary pouch, and side roll up

3. How profitable is greenhouse farming in Kenya?

Greenhouse farming consists of self-pollinating crops such as greenhouse indeterminate tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, and also insect-pollinated crops like strawberries. These are high-value crops that require intense attention and protection from pestilences such as; hail, drought, pest, disease, storms, and cold. They are moderately profitable. We design none food metallic greenhouses for flowers such as; roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums, and herbs such as geraniums, mint, basil, rosemary, and lemongrass. These crops are highly profitable and are grown by successful greenhouse farmers in Kenya.

4. How do you build a greenhouse?

The interior of the tunnel type greenhouse

 

6.How thick does the plastic need to be for a greenhouse?

It will be 200 to 220 microns. Our greenhouse polythene price in Kenya is Kes 96/MSQ

7. What is the best covering for a greenhouse?

UV-treated greenhouse polythene is the best for greenhouses in tropical locations. Our UV treatment is guaranteed for 3 years

8. Are greenhouse tomatoes better than outdoor tomatoes?

Greenhouse tomatoes have less pesticide applied to them because the crop is protected. Greenhouse tomato farming prevents high pests and diseases outbreak. These tomatoes have a lower shelf life than open field tomatoes because their rind is softer than open field tomato. Complete exposure to the sun is what gives open field tomato tougher rind, assuming the same level of nutrition for both. To increase the shelf life of greenhouse tomato, calcium and boron feeding is necessary

9. How well can a small-scale farmer run a greenhouse?

Grekkon Limited has developed manuals to assist small-scale farmers to achieve high yields in their greenhouses. We also conduct crop assessment visits during the first 4 months of production, free of charge. The reason we make it 4 months is because by this time, the crop has been harvetsed severally and the farmer knows all the basics of production

A low cost vented type wooden greenhouse in Kenya by Grekkon Limited

Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya

How profitable is greenhouse farming in Kenya?

How to get high yields in your greenhouse farming

1. Soil test

Conduct a soil test to determine the right fertiliser regime. A soil test will be done in a soil testing laboratory after soil samples are collected from the site.

2. Nutrition

Before making your beds, trench to 2 feet and add manure mixed with soil and ash then do your bed over this trench. This will feed your indeterminate crop for many months, providing consistent productivity

3. Water usage

Drip irrigation is the method of watering your greenhouses. Tomato farming, strawberry farming, pepper farming, herbs farming, cucumber farming, and for every crop in the greenhouse.

4. Crops to grow

Indeterminate vegetable crops like; tomato, cucumber, strawberries herbs, and peppers. This is because the yield over a prolonged period of time, which is key in returning the greenhouse investment

5. Pests and diseases

Greenhouses reduce the incidence of pests and diseases because the crop is under a protective greenhouse cover

Ripe greenhouse tomato fruit

 

Ripe open field tomato fruits

Greenhouse Sizes In Kenya

Summary

For your greenhouse investment in Kenya, we provide a kit for an additional cost that consists of;

• Seedling trays

• Coco peat

• Fertiliser (planting and topdressing)

• Pesticides; insecticides (long and short PHI), and fungicides (preventive and curative)

• Personal protective equipment

• goggles
• gas mask
• overalls
• gloves
• gumboots)
• A 20-liter knapsack sprayer

This secures your greenhouse budget. Our technical team is at hand to guide growers on the best greenhouse cost and sizes based on; crop type, location, and budget.

Spraying agrochemicals on a young open field tomato crop donning the full PPE kit

One acre rain hose kits

Grekkon Limited’s one acre rain hose kits in Kenya installations are done by the technical team across the country. The number of rain hose pipes installed per acre is determined by the following:  

A one acre rain hose irrigation system installed by Grekkon Limited in Makutano area, laikipia county

• the available flow rate, and pumping pressure from the water pump or water source. Where the flow rate and pumping pressure is high, the diameter of reach is broad, so less rain hose pipes are needed
• the diameter of the pipes. Larger diameter rain hose pipes provide more water, over a larger area, so less of them are needed

Cost of one care rain hose kits in Kenya

Rain hose pipes work under high gravity pressure (from 6M or 0.6bar), and with high volume water pumps. The discharge rate of the water pump is from 40 cubic litres per hour. These water pumps are surface solar, electric, petrol or diesel powered

One acre rain hose kits in Kenya

Installation

1. Trench where the poly vinyl chloride (PVC) main line will be laid. This is not necessary for the high density polyethylene (HDPE) which are surface pipes.  PVC pipes are sub-surface pipes because they have no UV-treatment, and will thus degrade easily under the sun. HDPE pipes have UV treatment and will be surface pipes
2. Connect the  PVC or  (HDPE) main line to the water pump or high tank. This pipe evacuates water from the source to the farm and is the largest in diameter. The larger the pipe diameter, the more the water it delivers. .
3. Join the HDPE or PVC sub-main line to the main line. The sub-main line is smaller in diameter, and so carries less water. It is joined to the main line through PVC or HDPE accessories such as; tees, elbows, saddle clamps, adaptors or valve sockets
4. Connect the rain pipe to the sub-main line or the main line where a sub-main line does not exist. This is done with a rain hose connector or a saddle clamp
5. Spread the rain hose along the length, and close the terminal end with an end cap
6. Connect one rain pipe to another with a connector

 Rain hose fittings from left to right: end cap, connector, rubber, and ball valve

A drilling tool is the only tool used when installing a rain hose kit. This is to create an opening on the main or sub-main line to insert the rain pipe ball valve

One acre rain hose kits

Rain hose irrigation system requirements

• The system requires a pressure head of 30M, and above
• When using a water pump to power the rain hose irrigation kit, the discharge rate should be from 45 cubic litres per hour
• The rate of water discharge is determined by the diameter size, and number of pores on the rain pipe. For instance, a rain pipe with 5 holes per cluster discharges less water than the one with 7 holes in a cluster
• It irrigates in opposite directions at a radius of 3M for the 32mm pipe, 5M for the 40mm pipe, and 7M for the 50mm pipe
• The vertical height of this water jet is 1M

One acre rain hose kits

FAQs

a. What is the difference between a rain hose irrigation system and a sprinkler system?

• The technology. The rain pipe irrigation system is designed using nano technology
• The mode of spray. A sprinkler sprays its water in one direction, a rain hose pipe sprays in 3 directions (vertically, horizontally, and diagonally)
• Placement. A sprinkler is placed upright on the surface or sub-surface (for pop up sprinklers). A rain hose is laid on the ground

b.  What is the pressure in a rain pipe?

The minimum operating pressure is 30M head / 3 bars

c. What is the spacing for rain hose irrigation?

The distance from one rain pipe to another is from 1.5M depending on the operating pressure, and pipe diameter

Grekkon limited is the largest supplier and installer of rain hose irrigation systems in Kenya, and in the east and central Africa region

Micro Sprinklers In Kenya

Micro sprinklers in Kenya by Grekkon Limited are low-pressure, low to medium volume irrigation equipment that are ideal for micro-irrigation. They deliver water directly to the crop root zone, in a uniform manner. They provide full scale surface irrigation, and localised watering of crops. Micro sprinklers are used for; fruit tree, lawn, hedge, and small garden irrigation

Micro sprinkler price in Kenya

The unit cost of all types of sprinkler jet micro sprinklers at Grekkon Limited is from Kes 100 at any of our branches nationwide. Micro sprinkler price per acre is a factor of the number of units used, which depends on the crop spacing. For instance tree tomato spaced at 2M x 2M will require a higher number of micro sprinklers than avocado spaced at 6M x 5M

Each unit is composed of 3 parts; the sprinkler, the 8mm diameter connecting tube, and a 1-1/2′ long plastic support stand

Micro sprinklers save water through high application efficiency, and uniformity of spray. They are a substitute for button drippers where drip irrigation is impractical, but create a larger wetted area than drip irrigation. Micro sprinkler irrigation provides low precipitation which allows for longer watering time with low run-off. They are available in a wide range of plastic configurations. Micro sprinkler sets are used with fertigation systems which save on fertiliser application labour cost. They are also light in weight and small in size, which makes them highly portable, and easy to install

Micro sprinklers watering an apple crop

What is micro sprinkler irrigation?

It is micro irrigation through the adoption of sprinkler jet micro sprinklers, set at the base of the plant

Micro Sprinklers In Kenya

Coverage:

Micro sprinklers coverage is a factor of; flow rate, wetting diameter or radius, and the wetting degree.

1. Operating pressure; from 15M head / 1.5 bar – 20M head/ 2 bar. Pressure lower than this will cause the micro sprinkler to release large droplets, or cease rotation. These droplets will be unhelpful, or even destructive to the work undertaken

2. Flow rate 40 litres per hour

3. Irrigation degree; available as 90, 180, and 360 degrees

4. Irrigation dimeter; 1.5M to 3.5M. This is an important factor to note during installation because it guides on the spacing of one sprinkler jet micro sprinkler to another

Micro sprinklers work when positioned upright, or upside down. Upright when they’re standing on the ground for normal irrigation. Upside down when set in a greenhouse, or open field crop to provide humidity to a mature crop or seedlings. This upside down placement is also for keeping plant foliage moist, or for overhead irrigation.

They deliver irrigation water through micro tubing to a series of nozzles attached to risers. They have small to medium sized droplets with good uniformity of coverage, and  lower precipitation rate.

How to space micro sprinklers

Micro sprinklers placement is in such a manner that the sprays overlap. If for instance the irrigation diameter  is 1.5M, the distance between micro sprinklers will be 2.25M. This ensures that there are no dry spots in between. An overlap ensures full coverage particularly for lawns, hedges or very closely spaced crops

How to use micro sprinklers with fruit trees

Our micro sprinklers for orchards are installed this way: Set one micro sprinkler per tree, 30cm or 1 foot from the base of the tree trunk being irrigated. Unlike online or button drippers which work well with gravity, a water pump will be necessary when irrigating with many micro sprinklers. This is because they need an operating pressure of 15M – 20M head, which is best achieved by a water pump

How much water do micro sprinklers use?

They use a maximum of 40 litres per hour

Micro Sprinklers In Kenya

FAQs

1. How effective is micro sprinkler irrigation?

It reduces water usage by 25% to 40% compared to impact or rain gun sprinkler irrigation, and by 45% to 60% when compared to surface irrigation. They provide uniform water application which ensures uniform growth and crop maturity

2. How far apart should sprinkler jet micro sprinkler be?

It should be less than the radius of their spray. See details above under the heading how to space micro sprinklers

3. When do you use a micro sprinkler?

Like drip irrigation, they are great for water conservation. However, unlike drips they create a humid micro climate around the crop, which is important in the control of certain pests such as spider mites, arphids, and thrips,

4. What are the disadvantages of micro sprinkler irrigation?

4.1. The tubes get clogged more easily than those of an impact sprinkler or rain gun sprinkler. This is because they are much smaller than those of other sprinkler types

4.2. They are more expensive to install than drip lines, or button drippers

4.3. They require higher operating pressure than drip lines, or button drippers, hence the need to invest in a water pump

4.4. They require a higher level of expertise during installation than button drippers, or drip tapes

4.5. The rate of water loss due to evaporation is higher than with a button dripper, or drip irrigation system

4.6. Many units are required per unit of land compared to other larger sprinklers

5. How do micro sprinklers work?

They have micro tubings which deliver water to  small openings that release it at a slow rate, as fine particles. They apply water directly to the soil surface allowing it to percolate under low pressure

6. How far do micro sprinklers spray?

1.5M to 3.5M diameter

7. What are the components of a micro-irrigation system?

7.1. A pumping station to provide the right pumping pressure

7.2. A filtration system to capture any debris or dirt that will clog the system

7.3. Mainlines. These are the pipes originating from the pumping station, and feeding the sub-main lines. They are the largest pipes

7.4. Sub-main lines. These are the pipes origination from the main lines, and feeding the laterals. They are smaller in diameter than the main lines

7.5. Laterals. These the pipes connecting to the sub-main lines, to which the micro sprinklers are attached. They are the smallest pipes in diameter

These pipes will be either be of the high density polypropylene (HDPE), or poly vinyl chloride PVC type

7.6. Hydrants. These are the irrigation control units in the field from which water is channelled to various blocks

7.7. Venturi system. This is a chemigation and/or a fertigation unit connected to the main line. It is the point from which soluble fertiliser and drenching pesticides are fed into the irrigation system

A venturi fertigation – chemigation unit being set up in an upcoming vegetable farm by Grekkon Limited

7.8. The sprinklers. They water the crops directly

8. How long to run micro sprinklers in Kenya?

35 to 45 minutes is sufficient time at optimal flow rate and working pressure

9. What is the difference between drip irrigation and micro sprinklers?

Drip irrigation is for closely spaced crops that require targeted irrigation. Micro-sprinkler irrigation is for sparsely spaced, larger crops or crops that grow best under overhead irrigation

10. What is the difference between mini and micro sprinklers in Kenya?

Mini sprinklers are larger, with a greater flow rate and operating pressure to cover a bigger area. They are better for smaller plants or landscape irrigation

Low Cost Solar Dryers

Grekkon Limited is the largest supplier of  low cost solar dryers for agricultural products in Kenya .  These low cost solar dryers work on solar strength, and are also augmented with a biomass heat unit if so desired by the client. Our agricultural solar dryers design is according to the product, location, and drying volume per session.

These passive or active solar dryers for fruits and vegetables are fixed or portable as the user needs it. The fixed ones are large and impractical to move about, while the portable one are small domestic drying units

Solar dried mango slices

Low Cost Solar Dryers in Kenya

Grekkon limited designs and constructs both passive/ natural circulation, and active/ forced circulation low cost solar dryers for agricultural products. The passive solar dryers have no additional mechanical input, while the active dryers do. Active solar dryers are also know as hybrid solar dryers. Their additional mechanical inputs are;  a biomass heating unit, or solar powered exhaust plus extraction fans, and synchronizers. A hybrid solar dryer will have one (solar system or biomass heater) of these enhancements, or both. These enhance drying time by 30% to 100% compared to passive drying. Attached biomass heating units allow for night time drying, or on cloudy/ rainy days.

Solar Dryer Materials

• Light UV treated translucent polythene paper to allow heat and light. The paper also has anti-drip treatment to prevent dew formation which causes moulds to form on food
• Heavy UV treated geomembrane to conserve heat
• Steel bars galvanized with food-grade aluminum or zinc for food safety
• UV treated heavy gauge netting to prevent insect pests from entering

A simple portable solar dryer under construction by the Grekkon technical team at Rusinga Island, Homa Bay county. The local community will dry bananas for processing into flour

Below are 2 videos: The first one is of a farmer in Homa-bay county, western Kenya using a community passive/ natural circulation solar dryer to add value to banana produce. The second one is of a mango processor in Taita Taveta county at the county’s coast with an active/ forced circulation dryer. Both solar dryers are by Grekkon Limited.

Video 1.   Video 2.  

Our low cost solar dryers have shelves at different levels depending on the volume or weight of food crops to dry per session.

Low Cost Solar Dryer Design

What is the working principle of a solar dryer?

1. Passive/ Natural Circulation Food Solar Dryer

Grekkon Limited solar dryers work in the following steps;

i. Capture & collect the sun’s heat

ii. Create a ‘greenhouse effect’ which causes moisture loss from the produce

iii. Air coming into the dryer exits with this moisture from the vent

2 Active/ Forced Circulation Food Solar Dryer

In addition to what takes place in the passive solar drying unit, the fans force in hot air from outside, and force out hotter air combined with moisture from inside the dryer. At night or on cloudy/ rainy days, the biomass unit supplies the drying heat.

Pros and cons of a low cost solar dryer in Kenya

1. Speed of drying. Food dries four to five times faster.
2. Quality. As the sun’s UV rays do not get into direct contact with the drying food, the food’s; color, taste, scent, and nutritional value is unaffected
3. Cleanliness. The food is free from dust, sand, or other external contaminants
4. No pests. Insect, bird, or mammalian pests have no access to food in the dryer, so no attack occurs
5. It is more expensive to build and maintain than open-air drying

Solar dried chilli peppers

 Low Cost Solar Dryers

FAQs

III. What do a low cost solar dryers do?

Grekkon Limited’s solar dryers reduce the moisture content to less than 12% in these products;

• Plantation crops; coffee, rice, cassava
• Vegetables; tomato, onion, garlic, brassicas, hot peppers
• Cereals; sorghum, and millet
• Herbs; moringa, mint, rosemary
• Oil crops; groundnuts, sunflower, macadamia, cashew nuts
• Others; mushrooms, fish, beef, mutton

IV. How do you dry vegetables with solar?

• Wash the vegetables to remove all dirt
• Ensure there are no insect pests present
• Remove any diseased parts or produce
• Cut or grind them into smaller pieces to increase the drying surface area

Place them in the solar dryer holding trays

Dry cassava chips

V. What is the most popular use of low cost solar dryers?

To dry fruits, mushrooms, vegetables, herbs, spices, coffee, cassava, banana and fish. Banana and cassava are further processed into food flour. A solar dryer ensures that the food is free of any external contamination

VI. What are the main applications of a solar dryer?

Besides vegetables and fruits, commercial solar dryers in Kenya are for fish, root crops and mushroom drying. Commonly dried foods in Kenya through our solar dryers are:

i. Banana, cassava, pumpkin, millet, and sorghum to make food flour. Dried cassava is also processed for industrial starch manufacture

ii. Moringa as a medicinal herb

iii. Tomato, capsicum, traditional vegetables, kales, and spinach  as vegetable nutrients

iv.  Mango, papaya, as dried fruits for snacking

v.  Omena which is the silver cyprinid fish for both human consumption, and as additive to animal feed

vi. Coffee so that it’s suitable for milling. Coffee solar dryers are the largest, each holding over 5 tons of berries per drying session