Group finds formula to multiply arrowroot seedlings, reap a fortune

Samwel Olum, dressed in a black and white checked shirt, a matching pair of trouser and gumboots, moves from one hole to another planting arrowroot seedlings on the farm located behind Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu.

Olum is the chairman of Tich Kouma, a community-based organisation, which grows the crop to reclaim wetlands.

“Our work entails reclaiming the wetlands that initially were under papyrus reeds. We integrate agroforestry, aquaculture and arrow root farming as an alternative source of income for the members,” he explains.

Out of the many ventures the group engages in, arrowroot farming stands out and brings more income. The farm has 50,000 arrowroot plants.

“We realised the area was conducive for the cultivation of arrowroots being a wetland. We have also maximised on seed multiplication for sale,” he says.

Initially, the group used indigenous varieties but the yield was low and the crop was prone to pests and diseases. They turned to the larger Dasheen variety from Uganda.

“We bought a 90kg sack of seedlings at Sh500 from Uganda. We have been multiplying the seedlings ever since to date,” he says.

To grow arrowroots, dig deep to soften the soil. The planting trenches are spaced 30cm by 30cm. Holes should be six to 10 inches in depth depending on the size of the stem.

“Since we are doing the venture on wetland, we hardly apply any manure nor fertiliser,” he explains. To multiply seeds, pick the desired mother plant that is free of pests and diseases.

Usually, it produce suckers which sprout from the side of the mother plant after two months. A single mother plant can produce 6 to 10 suckers.

PEST AND DISEASE-FREE PLANTING MATERIALS

Cut the sucker from the mother plant and transplant. Secretary Silvan Ahere adds that weeding and removal of dry leaves is done regularly. Generally, arrowroots are ready for harvest after six months.

At the time of harvesting, a farmer should ensure that the soil is moist to prevent breakage of the roots tuber while uprooting.

With good management of the arrowroots, one can harvest a tuber with a weight of 3.5 to 4kg, says Ahere. In a week the group harvests 300kg of tubers.

They sell the arrowroots in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya and Mombasa at Sh100 per kilo, making Sh120,000 from sale of tubers.

Each seedling goes for Sh10, with farmers as far as Narok coming for them.

However, their biggest challenge is hippo attack, which occasionally break onto the farm destroying the arrowroot plantation.

Robert Musyoki, the chief research officer at Simlaw Seeds Company, advises farmers who plan to produce arrowroot seeds to pick from plants with good yield.

“Check whether the mother plant has a good yield. Pick planting materials that are pest and disease free. Arrowroots are prone to diseases such as leaf spot,” says Musyoki.

He adds that farmers should use sterilised tools used when handling arrowroot seedling for multiplication.

Arrowroots are a good source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, niacin, potassium, copper and manganese. They have relatively more protein than other tropical food sources like potatoes, cassavas and plantains.