Onion farming in Kenya has gained significant momentum due to its high profitability and adaptability to various climatic conditions.
With the right choice of onion varieties, farmers can achieve substantial yields, leading to better market returns.
This article highlights the 20 best onion varieties to grow in Kenya based on their yields, characteristics and the benefits and challenges associated with each variety.
Red Creole onions are renowned for their adaptability and robust nature. They thrive in various climatic conditions, making them a popular choice among Kenyan farmers. With a yield potential of 20-25 tons per hectare, Red Creole onions are highly productive. They are resistant to many common onion diseases, ensuring a healthier crop.
Pros:
Disease-resistant
Good storage quality
High yield
Adaptable to various climates
Uniform bulb size
Early maturing
Suitable for long-term storage
Cons:
Requires regular watering
Moderate drought tolerance
Average market price
2. Red Bombay
Red Bombay onions are highly sought after in the market due to their appealing color and size. They offer a yield of 25-30 tons per hectare, making them a profitable variety. However, they are susceptible to fungal infections, requiring careful disease management.
Pros:
High market demand
Good storage life
Large bulb size
Attractive color
High yield
Early maturing
Suitable for various dishes
Cons:
Susceptible to fungal infections
Requires disease management
Average drought tolerance
3. Red Pinnoy
Red Pinnoy onions are known for their consistent bulb size and high disease resistance. With a yield potential of 30-35 tons per hectare, they are a top choice for farmers looking for high productivity. However, they require specific soil conditions to thrive.
Pros:
High disease resistance
Consistent bulb size
High yield
Good market price
Early maturing
Adaptable to various climates
Resistant to pests
Cons:
Needs specific soil conditions
Requires regular fertilization
Moderate water requirement
4. Red Passion
Red Passion onions are favored for their early maturity and suitability for export markets. They yield 30-35 tons per hectare and have a high market value. However, they require fertile soil to achieve their full potential.
Pros:
Early maturing
Good for export
High yield
Attractive color
Disease resistant
High market value
Suitable for various climates
Cons:
Requires fertile soil
Needs regular fertilization
Moderate drought tolerance
5. Red Star
Red Star onions are known for their uniform bulbs and resistance to bolting. They offer a yield of 25-30 tons per hectare and are favored for their consistent size and quality. However, they require careful pest management.
Jambar F1 onions are a hybrid variety known for their fast growth and high market value. They yield an impressive 35-40 tons per hectare, making them one of the highest-yielding varieties. However, they require high nutrient input to achieve these yields.
Pros:
Fast growing
High market value
High yield
Disease resistant
Consistent bulb size
Early maturing
Good for fresh market
Cons:
Needs high nutrient input
Requires regular watering
Moderate drought tolerance
7. Texas Grano 502 PRR
Texas Grano 502 PRR onions are popular for their sweet flavor and suitability for the fresh market. They yield 30-35 tons per hectare and are known for their large bulb size. However, they are sensitive to drought and require consistent watering.
Pros:
Good for fresh market
Sweet flavor
High yield
Large bulbs
Early maturing
Disease resistant
High market value
Cons:
Sensitive to drought
Requires consistent watering
Moderate pest resistance
8. Yellow Granex
Yellow Granex onions are favored for their mild taste and popularity for fresh consumption. They yield 25-30 tons per hectare and are known for their uniform size. However, they have a short storage life.
Pros:
Popular for fresh consumption
Mild taste
High yield
Uniform size
Early maturing
Attractive color
Good market value
Cons:
Short storage life
Requires regular watering
Moderate disease resistance
9. Rio Bravo
Rio Bravo onions are known for their high disease resistance and large bulbs. They yield 30-35 tons per hectare and are favored for their consistent quality. However, they require intensive management to achieve these yields.
Pros:
High disease resistance
Large bulbs
High yield
Consistent quality
Early maturing
Good market value
Resistant to pests
Cons:
Requires intensive management
Needs regular fertilization
Moderate drought tolerance
10. Red Tropicana
Red Tropicana onions are adaptable to various climates and offer good storage quality. They yield 25-30 tons per hectare and are known for their attractive color. However, they require regular irrigation.
Pros:
Adaptable to various climates
Good storage quality
High yield
Attractive color
Early maturing
Disease resistant
Consistent bulb size
Cons:
Needs regular irrigation
Requires careful pest management
Moderate drought tolerance
11. Red Hunter
Red Hunter onions are known for their tolerance to drought and good market price. They yield 20-25 tons per hectare and are favored for their robust nature. However, they are susceptible to certain pests.
Pros:
Tolerant to drought
Good market price
High yield
Early maturing
Disease resistant
Attractive color
Consistent bulb size
Cons:
Susceptible to certain pests
Requires regular fertilization
Moderate water requirement
12. Super Star
Super Star onions are known for their uniform shape and high market demand. They yield 25-30 tons per hectare and are favored for their consistent size and quality. However, they require fertile soil to achieve their full potential.
Yellow Bermuda onions are known for their early maturity and sweet flavor. They yield 20-25 tons per hectare and are popular for fresh consumption. However, they are less resistant to diseases.
Pros:
Early maturing
Sweet flavor
High yield
Popular for fresh consumption
Attractive color
Good market value
Consistent bulb size
Cons:
Less resistant to diseases
Requires regular watering
Moderate pest resistance
14. White Creole
White Creole onions are known for their good processing quality and high market value. They yield 20-25 tons per hectare and are favored for their robust nature. However, they need specific growing conditions to thrive.
Pros:
Good for processing
High market value
High yield
Consistent bulb size
Early maturing
Disease resistant
Attractive color
Cons:
Needs specific growing conditions
Requires regular fertilization
Moderate drought tolerance
15. Red Wing
Red Wing onions are known for their long storage life and resistance to diseases. They yield 25-30 tons per hectare and are favored for their consistent quality. However, they require high maintenance.
Pros:
Long storage life
Resistant to diseases
High yield
Consistent quality
Early maturing
Good market value
Attractive color
Cons:
Requires high maintenance
Needs regular fertilization
Moderate drought tolerance
16. Red Stone
Red Stone onions are known for their uniform size and high market price. They yield 20-25 tons per hectare and are favored for their attractive color. However, they are susceptible to fungal diseases.
Pros:
Uniform size
High market price
High yield
Attractive color
Early maturing
Disease resistant
Good for fresh market
Cons:
Susceptible to fungal diseases
Requires careful pest management
Moderate water requirement
17. Shanty Red
Shanty Red onions are known for their high market value and good storage quality. They yield 25-30 tons per hectare and are favored for their attractive color. However, they require careful pest management.
Pros:
High market value
Good storage quality
High yield
Attractive color
Early maturing
Disease resistant
Consistent bulb size
Cons:
Needs careful pest management
Requires regular fertilization
Moderate drought tolerance
18. White Grano
White Grano onions are known for their sweet flavor and suitability for salads. They yield 20-25 tons per hectare and are popular for fresh consumption. However, they have a short storage life.
Pros:
Sweet flavor
Good for salads
High yield
Early maturing
Attractive color
Good market value
Consistent bulb size
Cons:
Short storage life
Requires regular watering
Moderate disease resistance
19. Red Dynasty
Red Dynasty onions are known for their high yield and good disease resistance. They yield 30-35 tons per hectare and are favored for their robust nature. However, they require high nutrient input to achieve their full potential.
Pros:
High yield
Good disease resistance
Consistent bulb size
Early maturing
Attractive color
Good market value
Resistant to pests
Cons:
Needs high nutrient input
Requires regular watering
Moderate drought tolerance
20. Yellow Sweet Spanish
Yellow Sweet Spanish onions are known for their large bulbs and high market value. They yield 25-30 tons per hectare and are favored for their sweet flavor. However, they need specific soil conditions to thrive.
What are the best onion varieties to grow in Kenya?
Some of the best onion varieties to grow in Kenya include Red Creole, Bombay Red, Texas Grano, Tropicana F1, Red Passion F1, Red Pinnoy F1, Jambar F1, Red King F1, Red Comet F1, and Neptune F1.
Which onion variety is best for high yield in Kenya?
The Tropicana F1 variety is known for its high yield potential in Kenya due to its adaptability to various climatic conditions and resistance to common onion diseases.
What is the best onion variety for long storage in Kenya?
Red Creole is a preferred variety for long storage because of its excellent keeping quality and resistance to sprouting.
Which onion variety has the best resistance to diseases in Kenya?
Red Passion F1 is known for its strong resistance to common onion diseases, making it a reliable choice for Kenyan farmers.
What is the best onion variety for early maturity in Kenya?
Bombay Red is favored for its early maturity, typically ready for harvest in about 90 to 100 days, allowing farmers to achieve quicker returns.
Which onion variety is most suitable for dry areas in Kenya?
Texas Grano performs well in dry areas due to its drought resistance and ability to thrive with minimal water.
What is the best onion variety for fresh consumption in Kenya?
Jambar F1 is popular for fresh consumption due to its mild flavor and attractive bulb size, making it ideal for salads and culinary use.
Which onion variety is best for export from Kenya?
Red King F1 is highly sought after for export due to its uniform size, attractive red color, and long shelf life, making it appealing in international markets.
What is the best onion variety for planting during the rainy season in Kenya?
Neptune F1 is well-suited for the rainy season as it can tolerate wet conditions and has good disease resistance, ensuring a stable yield.
Which onion variety is best for both fresh and storage purposes in Kenya?
Red Comet F1 is versatile, suitable for both fresh consumption and storage, providing farmers with flexibility and reducing post-harvest losses.
Conclusion
Choosing the best onion variety to grow in Kenya is crucial for achieving high yields, disease resistance, and marketability.Varieties like Tropicana F1 and Red Creole offer specific advantages such as high yield potential and long storage life, respectively.
Understanding the unique characteristics of each variety helps farmers select the most suitable options for their specific growing conditions and market needs.
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For instance, Bombay Red is ideal for early harvest, while Texas Grano thrives in dry areas. Export-oriented farmers might prefer Red King F1 for its attractive appearance and shelf life.
Meanwhile, Jambar F1 and Neptune F1 cater to fresh consumption and wet-season planting, respectively. Red Comet F1 provides versatility, suitable for both fresh use and storage. By selecting the right onion variety, Kenyan farmers can optimize their production, meet market demands, and enhance profitability
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