Garlic Irrigation Farming in Kenya: Guide for 2025

Among the high-value crops, garlic stands out as the top income generator as its demand is high both in Kenya and worldwide. Kenya largely depends on imported garlic, meaning there is an opportunity for our farmers to try garlic irrigation farming.

Garlic is a popular spice with health benefits such as boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Where to Buy Garlic Irrigation Systems in Kenya

Aqua Hub Kenya : Your one-stop all in one irrigation system shop in Kenya. We have sprinklers, driplines, HDPE pipes and fittings at cheaper prices.

Call 0790719020

What Varieties of Garlic are Grown in Kenya?

The types of garlic grown in Kenya are grouped into:

Soft neck Garlic – African Giant, Rwandan Giant, Arusha Giant, California Early, Creole, California Late

Hard neck Garlic – Spanish Roja, Rocambole, Purple Stripe

Cost of Garlic Farming in Kenya

Garlic farming in Kenya costs on average are around KES 150,000 to KES 250,000 with respect to the farm size and requirements.

Cost of 1 Acre Garlic Farming in Kenya

The cost of garlic farming in Kenya is as listed below.

Things that may affect the Cost of Garlic Irrigation farming in Kenya

Land topography : the shape of the land can affect the pressure requirement and thus affect the cost of the system. For example, hilly land may require use of a pump and pressure regulator to move water.

Land size : determines the sizes of pipes, fittings, amount of water needed, pressure needs and thus affect the cost. Seedling requirements is also another factor that affects cost.

Water source : the source of water will depend on whether you have water or if you are depending on community water supply.

Garlic irrigation farming in Kenya: Which Method for Proper Yield?

To produce high yield in garlic farming, irrigation is the ideal solution as it overcomes the water strains and offers high level management.

Garlic can be irrigated using driplines, overhead sprinklers, or rain hose systems. All these methods supply the sufficient flow rate needed for garlic to thrive.

However, garlic requires more than sufficient water supply. High control for optimal soil moisture, optimal soil temperature and weed control allows the plant to bloom.

Drip irrigation is the ideal method that brings high efficiency in garlic irrigation allowing proper growth with low weeds and diseases.

Growing Garlic through Irrigation

Assess the water requirements: water needs may vary with the garlic variety, but optimal water rate is about 1 inch per week.

Irrigation duration: depends on the type of irrigation systems you are using. For drip irrigation, 30-40 minutes is the ideal duration to water garlic.

Garlic Irrigation schedule: proper irrigation of garlic should be done at least 3 times per week.

What you Need to Start Garlic Irrigation Farming in Kenya

Garlic farming with drip irrigation requires setting up a drip irrigation system on your farm. For a complete drip irrigation system installation, you need to purchase.

• Driplines – dripline rolls of 16mm diameter for precise irrigation.
• Water filter – removes debris that often clogs your driplines.
• HDPE Pipes and fittings – connects the mainline and sub-mainline sections.
• Drip fittings – connects the driplines to the system.
• Fertilizer injector – device for dosing or injecting fertilizer into the system.
• Tank and tank Connector – large tank to store water.

Requirements for 1 Acre Garlic Farming with Drip Irrigation

• Driplines – 9 rolls of 16mm diameter
• Mainline HDPE – 63 mm 100m
• Submain line pipe – 63 mm 2 rolls 100m
• Risers 16mm diameter 1 roll

When is the right time to Plant garlic in Kenya?

Best time for growing garlic is the onset of spring or fall season. Fall is more preferrable than spring as it results to larger and sweeter garlic bulbs.

What are the Steps for Growing Garlic in Kenya?

Prepare the farm for Garlic farming

1. 1. Start by cultivating your farm. Involves clearing vegetation, cultivating and removing rocks.
   2. Proceed by breaking the soil loose. Enhance fine soil for bed making.
   3. Prepare planting beds measuring 100 m long by 1 m wide. Garlic are grown in raised soil beds.

Prepare garlic seedlings for planting

1. Choose the best garlic variety as per your soil PH.
2. Buy garlic seedlings or cloves
3. Separate the garlic cloves from the bulbs.

Plant the garlic cloves

1. Make holes of 9-12 inches deep for planting garlic.
2. The planting lines in a bed are 2-3 as per the bed size.
3. Plant the garlic cloves while ensuring the clove is buried with soil up to the neck.

Garlic Drip Kit Installation by Aqua Hub

Make your garlic farming successful by engaging Aqua Hub Kenya, the top drip irrigation system supplier in Kenya. We deliver custom drip irrigation kits installed designed to match the irrigation flow rates and specifications of your farm.

Call 0790719020