red onions in close up shot

What are the best varieties of onions for farming in Kenya?

As a Kenyan farmer, choosing the right variety of onions to grow is essential for achieving optimal yields and profits. With so many varieties available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this article, I will be discussing 10 of the best varieties of onions that are well-suited for farming in Kenya, and the unique characteristics of each one.

First, it’s important to understand that there are two main types of onions: long-day onions and short-day onions. Long-day onions require a longer period of daylight to form bulbs, while short-day onions form bulbs with a shorter period of daylight. Kenya, being located near the equator, has a long daylight period all year round, making both types of onions suitable for farming in Kenya.

VarietyTypeCharacteristics
Red CreoleLong-dayKnown for its deep red color and ability to store well. Large bulbs with a crisp texture. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing. A popular choice for salads and sandwiches.
White LisbonShort-dayKnown for its white color and ability to store well. Small bulbs with a crisp texture. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for pickling. A popular choice for salads and sandwiches.
Yellow GranexShort-dayKnown for its yellow color and ability to store well. Medium-sized bulbs with a crisp texture. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for pickling. A popular choice for salads and sandwiches.
Sweet OnionsLong-dayKnown for its mild and sweet flavor. Not as pungent as traditional onions. Great for salads, sandwiches, and other dishes where a mild onion flavor is desired. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for grilling and roasting. High market demand.
Hybrid OnionsHybridCross between different varieties of onions that have been genetically modified to be disease resistant and have a higher yield. Well-suited for Kenyan farming conditions. High market demand. More expensive to purchase compared to other varieties. Great for storage.
Ailsa CraigLong-dayKnown for its large bulbs and ability to store well. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing. A popular choice for pickling. High-demand variety in the Kenyan market.
Walla WallaLong-dayKnown for its sweet flavor and ability to store well. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for salads, sandwiches, and other dishes where a sweet onion flavor is desired. Great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing.
CopraLong-dayKnown for its high yields and ability to store well. Resistant to many diseases and pests. A popular choice for commercial farmers looking to maximize their yields. Great for storage. Can be sold for a longer period compared to other varieties.
GranoShort-dayKnown for its large bulbs and ability to store well. Resistant to many diseases and pests. A popular choice for commercial farmers looking to maximize their yields. Great for storage. Can be sold for a longer period compared to other varieties.
Red BurgundyLong-dayKnown for its deep red color and ability to store well. Resistant to many diseases and pests. Great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing. A great addition to salads and sandwiches.
Varieties of onions for farming in Kenya

Contents

1. Red Creole Onions

The Red Creole onion is a long-day variety that is well-suited for Kenyan farming conditions. This onion is known for its deep red color and its ability to store well, making it a popular choice among farmers and consumers. The bulbs are large and have a crisp texture. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. The Red Creole onions are great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing and are also a great addition to salads and sandwiches.

2. White Lisbon Onions

The White Lisbon onion is a short-day variety that is also well-suited for Kenyan farming conditions. This onion is known for its white color and its ability to store well, making it a popular choice among farmers and consumers. The bulbs are small and have a crisp texture. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. White Lisbon onions are great for pickling, and also a great addition to salads and sandwiches.

3. Yellow Granex Onions

The Yellow Granex onion is another short-day variety that is well-suited for Kenyan farming conditions. This onion is known for its yellow color and its ability to store well, making it a popular choice among farmers and consumers. The bulbs are medium in size and have a crisp texture. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. Yellow Granex onions are great for pickling, and also a great addition to salads and sandwiches.

4. Sweet Onions

Sweet onions are a long-day variety that is known for their mild and sweet flavor. They are not as pungent as traditional onions and are less likely to bring tears to the eyes when cutting them. They are a popular choice for salads, sandwiches, and other dishes where a mild onion flavor is desired. They are also well-suited for Kenyan farming conditions and have a high market demand. They are also great for grilling and roasting

5. Hybrid Onions

Hybrid onions are a cross between different varieties of onions and have been genetically modified to be disease resistant and have a higher yield. They are well-suited for Kenyan farming conditions and have a high market demand. They are however more expensive to purchase compared to other varieties. They are great for storage and can be sold for a longer period compared to other varieties.

6. Ailsa Craig Onions

Ailsa Craig onions are a long-day variety that is known for its large bulbs and ability to store well. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. They are great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing, and are also a popular choice for pickling. They are a high-demand variety in the Kenyan market.

7. Walla Walla Onions

Walla Walla onions are a long-day variety that is known for its sweet flavor and ability to store well. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. They are a popular choice for salads, sandwiches, and other dishes where a sweet onion flavor is desired. They are also great for grilling, roasting, and sautéing.

8. Copra Onions

Copra onions are a long-day variety that is known for their high yields and ability to store well. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. They are a popular choice for commercial farmers looking to maximize their yields. They are also great for storage and can be sold for a longer period compared to other varieties.

9. Grano Onions

Grano onions are a short-day variety that is known for its large bulbs and ability to store well. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. They are a popular choice for commercial farmers looking to maximize their yields. They are also great for storage and can be sold for a longer period compared to other varieties.

10. Red Burgundy Onions

Red Burgundy onions are a long-day variety that is known for their deep red color and ability to store well. They are also resistant to many diseases and pests, making them a low-maintenance crop. They are a popular choice for grilling, roasting, and sautéing, and are also a great addition to salads and sandwiches.

In conclusion, there are several varieties of onions that are well-suited for farming in Kenya. Each variety has its own unique characteristics that make it well-suited for specific uses and farming conditions. As a Kenyan farmer, it’s important to consider the characteristics of each variety, market demand and personal preference before making a decision on which variety to grow. Whether you’re growing onions for commercial sale or for personal use, these varieties are sure to provide you with a bountiful harvest.

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