New Kumara Planting Techniques

During a recent training at Gwaunafiu Farmers School in Central Kwara’ae, renowned agricultural trainer Lionel Maeliu introduced three innovative Kumara (sweet potato) planting techniques to local farmers. The methods —…

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During a recent training at Gwaunafiu Farmers School in Central Kwara’ae, renowned agricultural trainer Lionel Maeliu introduced three innovative Kumara (sweet potato) planting techniques to local farmers.

The methods — straight planting, round planting, and peanut planting — have sparked interest among participants for their potential to improve Kumara growth and increase yields.

For Rose Kabolo, an experienced Kumara gardener with over 40 years in farming, the techniques were eye-opening.

“These are new methods of planting to me indeed,” she shared.

“I have been into Kumara gardening for more than 40 years now, and these methods are totally new to me. I am grateful and thankful to Lionel for showing us these techniques.”

Lionel Maeliu explained that the new methods have been designed to maximize the plant’s access to soil nutrients by spacing out the vines more effectively.

“Putting five or six vines in one mound, as is often done, can lead to competition between the plants for nutrients. This overcrowding results in weaker plants, with some vines producing nothing at all,” he said.

“These methods reduce competition and give each vine room to grow and access more nutrients, which leads to better yields.”

The methods demonstrated were:

  1. Straight Planting or Three Nodes Planting
    In this approach, the Kumara vine is cut after three nodes and planted directly into the mound. With fewer plants per mound, each vine receives enough nutrients and can develop strong roots, allowing for better growth.
  2. Round Planting
    For this method, a single vine is coiled at the base and then placed into the mound. As the vine grows, it spreads out naturally, covering more ground and allowing the plant to grow vigorously with ample space for root development.
  3. Peanut Planting
    Here, a long vine is laid straight along the top of a mounted area and buried. The vine grows roots along its length, making it highly resilient and providing better soil contact, which helps the vine take in more nutrients.

Farmers attending the session expressed gratitude for Maeliu’s guidance, noting the opportunity to apply these methods to improve their harvests and strengthen their food security.

The Gwaunafiu Farmers School continues to promote sustainable and traditional agricultural practices, with the goal of revitalizing food production and empowering local farmers with new skills.

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