GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY

  An annual crop of the grass family with a botanical name zea may. Brought by Portuguese traders to the East African coast in the 18th century. Single most extensively grown crop. Main Growing Areas Transnzoia, Nakuru, Bungoma, and Uasin Gishu districts. Conditions Favouring Maize Growing In Kenya Physical Requirements Warm temperatures (above 15◦c). High annual rainfall (635-1145mm) Deep well drained fertile soil with abundant amount of nitrogen. Undulating landscape to allow use of machines. Lower altitudes of about 1800m or below sea level. Human Requirements Abundant labour for preparation of land, sowing, weeding, shelling and packing. A good transport network to enable farmers to transport harvested grain to millers and buying centres. A good and sufficient storage facility for the grain after it has been harvested and before it is sold. Availability of capital to pay for labour, buy inputs and pay for transportation of grain to the market. Cultivation of Maize Holes for pla...

  Sugarcane is a coarse perennial grass belonging to the Saccharum family. It was introduced in Kenya in 1902 by an Australian farmer whereby commercial growing began in Miwani, Kibos, and Ramisi. Main Growing Areas Nyanza: Muhoroni, Miwani, Chemilil and Awendo. Coastal: Ramisi. Western: Mumias, Nzoia, Kabras, Nambele Conditions Favouring Sugarcane growing (requirements) Physical High temperatures(21◦c-27◦C) High and well-distributed rainfall (1200-1500 mm annually). Dry and sunny weather during harvesting to increase sugar accumulation in the cane. Fertile and well-drained soils. Undulating land for machinery to be used and for easier transportation of cane to factories. Altitude between sea level and 1600 m. Human Requirements Abundant labour for planting, weeding, cutting, and loading onto trucks. Good transport infrastructure for sugarcane to reach the factory within a week after harvesting. Location of processing factories within the growing areas for quick processing of sug...