Farmers in Kiambu have been challenged to venture into rare crops like eggplant as it promotes income growth and contains nutritious benefits.
Speaking to journalists in her office on Thursday, Kiambu Sub-Country agricultural officer, Ms Jane Muigai said eggplant was a tender vegetable that is mostly substituted for meat in vegetarian food.
She said growing the vegetable was easy because it only requires hot and humid conditions and thrives where there is full sun and warmth.
Muigai said the vegetable can either be grown from seeds, transplanted or planted directly in the garden, therefore enabling access to many people.
She said that since the eggplant was a heavy feeder, it should be planted in fertile compost soil since the vegetable does best in rich, slightly acidic and well-drained soil.
The officer said the vegetable which is commonly known as 'Biringanya' varies in size, shape, colour, growth habit and time of maturity, thus some of them turn out to be purple-black or white while others are orange or green.
“The vegetable produces large, plump, glossy fruits which are very tasty, especially the young ones, thus before harvesting, the tenderness and glossiness of the vegetable should be checked to ensure it is preserved for some time before it is consumed,” said Muigai.
The officer explained that the eggplant is harvested typically after 80 to 85 days and it should be stored under cool temperatures for more than three days before being used in cooking.
She further said the vegetable can be planted in containers to keep the pests at bay.
“The plant does not only bring income growth to the farmer but it also has nutritional benefits and it is also cheaper compared to meat,” said Muigai.
The officer said the vegetable contains iron, calcium and other minerals which supply essential nutrients required in the body, which help in improving blood circulation and protect the fats in the brain thus nourishing it.
Muigai advised farmers and other residents to try this vegetable and experience its wide range of benefits from income growth to health benefits.
Mary Karanu a farmer, said she started farming eggplant in her backyard and everyone thought it was a joke but this changed after she sold the harvest at a price of Sh10,000.