Vegetable Farming in Zambia: How We Farm Carrots: From Seed to Harvest

Carrots are a popular root vegetable that are widely cultivated around the world. They belong to the family of plants that includes parsley, celery, and dill. This video shares how and why Mondo Farms cultivates this vegetable.
Like all our Crop stories, it starts with some background on this important and popular vegetable. It then takes an in-depth look back at how we planted and grew a crop of carrot on Riverside 1 Blocks A-C. The process starts with preparing the beds and then planted the seed. We next fed and protected the carrot, before finally starting to harvest.
The video also discusses the benefits of including carrot in our crop rotation strategy for vegetable farming success.

[@fryedajones3827]

This was one of the most interesting videos watched for such a long time.l love the basic understanding of information that you have given l am going to try your system on a very small scale but have never had success in crewe england with my carrot s before so hope2024will have me smiling when l pick my crops my very best wishes goes to you and all your hard working team.May it continue to be prosperous blessings

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you 😊

[@diini21]

I all moste never comments a KZbin videos.. but man your funny. It’s like watching a Quentin terantino dialog scene. If farming was popular you would have millions of view.

[@mondofarms4343]

Wow. Thanks. I don't really know what else to say. But thanks 😊

[@jackdennehy-coles8119]

Carrots dont need the sunlight to germinate and can do better with a covering like boards or silage tarps till the point they emerge as it helps better regulate moisture levels and prevent weed seed germination giving the carrots a head start, although of course this may not be practical on your scale. Thank you for an interesting insight into agriculture in africa from a viewer in New Zealand 🇳🇿 🇳🇿🇳🇿

[@mondofarms4343]

You're most welcome

[@thiernosow4344]

I always learn a lot from your videos. I also like the way you explain complex things with simple words and a dose of humor 😊. Thank you Mondofarm!

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks! 😃

[@dougmeadows6058]

Mondo Farms is an excellent model for future farmers and learning how to grow food for a sustainable lifestyle. I am from North Alabama; USA and I focus on vegetables for salads as they are very popular in the USA. I am expanding my farm by using a shade cloth system, due to the heat effecting my cool green vegetables and tomatoes from blistering and sun scald.

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. Indeed, we are also planning to grow more crops under shade as climate change continues to affect us negatively. It's really quite bad here in Tropical Africa. Just this week, our Met Dept issued a warning about midday temps above 43°C. That would have been unhward of a decade ago.

[@paultembo2264]

You used a planter and for us starters will use the fingers on our hands. What spacing do you recommend.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

Just kinda playing with the gardening-farming binary here: if farming is a business, and gardening is a hobby, then is market gardening, which in its early stages is physically more what we imagine of "gardening" (hand-can irrigation, walk-behind power tools if any), farming? Is subsistence farming, done when the farmer has a choice to get food from the market, gardening, even if they work in the same way a farmer does? I aim to get as much of my calories as reasonably possible from my garden, but I realize that cannot be more than 20% in a cold boreal location and on a plot no bigger than a small mansion (perhaps less than 3/100 of a hectare). I have no qualms with being considered either a gardener or a farmer, but I'd say I fall more on the gardener end of the spectrum due to the tools I use, my methods, my location (the fact that I'm doing this from my home, in an urban area), and the fact that I am both doing this for my own consumption and able to fall back on market foods.

[@mwiingangandu4856]

Your delivery is exceptional sir, love the humor & very educational!🙌🏽

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks Mudala 😊

[@nosiphoradebe6297]

I love this. Watching from South Africa. Hoping my carrots turn out as good.

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. All the best

[@mariamhassan6928]

You have given me a lot of knowledge, am in Kenya

[@mondofarms4343]

That's great to hear 😊

[@LSNaturals-c3w]

You can tell he is really passionate about farming and sharing. In just 5 years, Mondo farms will be so far.

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. Your encouragement means a lot and will help us keep pushing forward in this farming journey.

[@francisxavierc.mukolwe1836]

I believe in very thing he sets his mind on. Kudos Sir.

[@raysibungo4221]

Watching from Namibia and i must say i love this man, i love the way you present , and maan the English is on point with just the right amount of humor, love it!

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you.

[@yvonneduff8272]

Informative as always. Much appreciated. Hobby gardener appreciating what farmers do.

[@mondofarms4343]

Our pleasure!

[@mwilamwila2807]

Evening Mr.Folotiya. Kindly share details about your drip system used on these carrots. The mm, space between emitters, the brand and where you buy them. Thanks in advance.

[@mondofarms4343]

Sorry, Ba Mwila, we struggle to give our that level of detail. Our videos are meant as a guide as we share a general picture of how we do things. We advise that you get hold of an agronomist who can take you further. All the best.

[@jameskaimenyi6287]

Wow! I am a Kenyan and am surprised Zambians have exactly the same English accent as Kenyans.

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

The carrot tops would be excellent forage. No livestock operations in the area? Much higher value than raw material for compost!

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed. I can imagine some goats chomping on all that green goodness.

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

@@mondofarms4343 If there are no buyers, perhaps you can diversify and keep a small breeding herd of goats simply to convert your vegetable tops and unsaleable crops to manure for your compost piles. Then sell off all surplus goats as new goats are born to keep crop waste to manure conversion team the right size for your waste stream. Right size means not having to buy any supplemental feed. I like this idea! You could probably sell the surplus goats to your employees as a perk for working at Mondo Farms. 😊

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks Steve. But honestly, it would take a lot for me to change our strategy of focusing on crop farming and mastering it, and then bringing in some livestock. Hey, at least, I didn't give you a polite answer like: "Okay, we shall look into that"

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

@@mondofarms4343 Absolutely right. 😊 No one appreciates a straight answer more than I! If crop farming is your business plan - I agree, focus on the plan. There is nothing wrong with compost! I appreciate the attention to detail that your employees demonstrate. They seem to "take ownership" of the crops they are monitoring. That is a rare accomplishment. Congratulations!

[@Dadgental]

Bror can you please me the area and company name of the combine harvester please. Thanks ❤❤❤❤❤

[@mondofarms4343]

Sorry, it may be a language challenge, but which combine harvestor are you referring to?

[@mupkwaam9954]

Nice video and very educative... How much did you sell per bag??

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks.

[@MartinMwiinga-h5z]

Very educative videos. Could you also tell us how many months these crops take to grow upto harvest?

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks Ba Martin. You can keep track of time elapsing in the videos by noting the FARMDATES that we show when an event is happening.

[@robertkaydea9330]

Hello sir, thanks for the information program, what is the name of your carrot seeds planter?

[@mondofarms4343]

You're most welcome. The seed planter we got is a generic model we bought from Saro Agro. It didn't come with any particular brand name.

[@princegraywolf]

Once the drip lines are in does the planter have any problems with the drip lines?

[@mondofarms4343]

Pls watch the video at around 14:10. You will see that the planting was done before the drip tapes were laid down. The planter we have works best when the soil is dry.

[@GertrudeObenewaa-g3c]

Good work but please give me the real spacing for carrot alone beds

[@mondofarms4343]

Sorry, I'm not clear on what you are asking.

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

ahp-ee-eh-see-aye is the usual pronunciation I tend to say ahp-ee-ah-keh-aye

[@mondofarms4343]

indeed

[@mnwanyiigbo347]

The music is a big distraction. I can hardly hear you.

[@mondofarms4343]

Sorry to hear that.

[@JankieBotha]

I didn't see you doing top dressing or foliar sprays

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed.

[@nonhlanhlandimande2244]

❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂Me,I used to like a Mercedes now Im 45 I want a tractor,😂😂 you and I same page,I was telling my wife early this year that I want to buy a tractor

[@nonhlanhlandimande2244]

😂😂🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@denisewilson8367]

I want one of those planters! How much do they cost?

[@mondofarms4343]

We bought ours from a local agro equipment dealer. I'm sure they are available where you are.

[@BensonSimunika]

I can plant carrots in black soil near river?

[@mondofarms4343]

Pls check with the seed supplier or an agronomist.

[@EWATON]

Every time am here for Agri master class... Thank you mondo farms for sharing your experiences.... From 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪Kenya, 🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@mondofarms4343]

Always welcome

[@cliffmays442]

I am a retired pastor living in Nebraska, U.S.A. I am not a farmer but a home gardener who grows for food for my family. As you may guess pastors are not well paid. I grow mostly cheap open pollination. My soil is heavy clay, not good for carrots, but one does good. It is an old type called danvers half long. It can produce where other carrots do not. My wife is from the Philippines so some of her favorites do not grew here, too cold in winter. She wanted grow pineapple but when Oct. came and it froze that was it for the pineapple idea.

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks Cliff. 😊 The saddest thing is that with climate change, you may ine day be able to grow pineapples in your region. As the geat Bob Dylan sang: Times, they are changing...

[@blainecelestaine4543]

Awesome channel. Thx for the education. I love to see all the jobs you are creating as well. I was wondering why don't you use a tractor for bed prep. I use a 25hp , a tiller and a row hipper . You can flatten the tops with a pipe behind the tractor.30" beds 18" walkways. From grass to beds a acre might take a day. keep the good content coming. Thx

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. Our farms are still in the developmental stage, and we are working towards getting more mechanised in the future. Meanwhile, we rely on manual labour like most other farms in Africa.

[@Dadgental]

Salam brother, thanks for your time and support for this video it’s really been a productive and successfull lesson. The word is not easy to pronounce 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mondofarms4343]

Greetings

[@MahlakoanaPhologeDan]

Good evening sir. Are you maybe related to the Zulus in South Africa? I recognize some Zulu words as you speak to your employees.

[@mondofarms4343]

It's so interesting that we get similar questions from viewers in neighbouring and nearby countries about how our language sounding like theirs. It is simply that all Bantu languages have common roots. I'm sure you know the history of how our ancestors moved around over the centuries before modern borders were drawn at the Berlin Conference. My own roots are from all across SADC. A bit of Zambia, Malawi, DRC, and Northen Cape. All mixed together to make a modern African.

[@monica-bookiekethusegile1134]

Thank you for such an informative and educational presentation. How much carrot crop do I need to start with to be viable and make commercial sense as a start up,? What would a quarter hector yield for instance?

[@mondofarms4343]

Yields and returns depend on many factors. Plant variety, weather, water availability, and even experience of those growing the crop. As a formal business, we avoid sharing figures with the public. Our advice is to consult a qualified agronomist to guide you in your farming journey. Most reputable seed conpanies employ them to advise customers. There's a limit to what can be really ever achieved over social media. Our videos are merely a guide.

[@gardeningwithkirk]

❤❤❤❤❤ beautiful

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks 😊

[@chidinwodo963]

This is very educational . I want to know more about the land type and temperature? I have a sandy-loamy soil in my area and also clay soil with temperature of 23'c -30'c Please education me. Thanks!

[@mondofarms4343]

I know little about the effects of soil temp in the manner you refer to. Pls consult an Agronomist for better advice.

[@RudoMoto]

The local language sounds very similar to Shona, l wonder what it is….Oh and African laughter, that’s one thing we are so good at….😂

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed, Rudo, all our Bantu languages have common roots and similar words. The lingua franca spoken in most of Zambia is called Town Nyanja.

[@hewittg.malone5973]

You mention "Farming is a business" but you died not sell us the book! You don't know that if you say it on You-Tube, you have to link to it??

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you for your input and for supporting our channel.

[@chibesamutale568]

I have also had a very good experience with K2 maize seed variety...I did maize for the first time last season

[@mondofarms4343]

That's great

[@stephanedibo8167]

Thanks for sharing bro, be blessed. I am considering to transitionning from CPA to agribusiness

[@mondofarms4343]

Best of luck! 😊😊

[@kenpernak9944]

Enjoyed the content. From N.C. U.S.A.. God bless and protection..

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks and welcome

[@melissagoodwin2602]

How would you detox soil with lead aandd heavy metal?

[@mondofarms4343]

Sorryz I have no idea. Soil pollution is not something that I have ever had to deal with where we farm.

[@melissagoodwin2602]

@mondofarms4343 thank you for responding

[@hotpepper7782]

Most information, what a wonderful experience, God bless you sir

[@mondofarms4343]

Many thanks

[@emoitwarren6346]

Thank you mondo farms for sharing your vast agriculture experience

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. The farming experience has only been 3 years, but very intense. We shall keep sharing.

[@elijahgwebo8228]

Good evening sir I'm very happy about this educative information but I'm asking the spice for your drip lines that you used it's my first time seeing carrots grown in drip lines.

[@mondofarms4343]

Hi Elijah. Sorry, Im not getting your question clearly. Spice? Perhaps you could watch the video again and see some of the details it has.

[@elijahgwebo8228]

The cm of the drip lines

[@Esther-MayDerrick-Joseph]

Hi from Trinidad and Tobago. Thank you for all the information you share. I am now trying to make farming a business. I am inspired by you.

[@mondofarms4343]

You can do it! Thanks and all the best.

[@tillanieabayasekara9681]

Enjoyed your video all the best we are from Srilanka 👍👍👍❤❤❤

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@universalangei9320]

I noticed that the carrots you pulled out are dark at the tip! Is that because of not enough nutrients deeper into the soil? L1

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks for that observation. Its something to think about in the next crop we are planting next month.

[@JoyceMudolo]

Thanks mondo Farm. Learning alot from you guys.😅

[@mondofarms4343]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jamess.howard3718]

Thanks for sharing this is interesting and inspiring from Liberia West Africa 🇱🇷

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks James.

[@matinaite]

I like the narration more, but I definitely love the outcome of his labour

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks 😊

[@ericaryee9296]

Enjoyed your carrot video! Very instructive and quite humorous 😅

[@mondofarms4343]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@donvanngoma4916]

Are you open for farm visits?

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks for the question. Sadly, we limit visits because our farms are working places, and we find that handling visitors disturbs our ability to meet targets and deliverables. We hosted our first Farmers Field aday with Holland Greentech last November, which was a great opportunity to visit in a structured manner. We will have more in the future and will definitely publicize it in good time. Look forward to seeing you there.

[@donvanngoma4916]

@@mondofarms4343 thank you so much for the feedback. I will be on the look out for any such opportunity.

[@genge1632]

Love your videos I learn alot am about to out from the city to the rural areas soon

[@mondofarms4343]

Thats good to hear 😊

[@georgegidali4849]

Hi, whats the spacing for the carrots, plant to plant?

[@mondofarms4343]

George, please watch the video. I specifically mentioned the ideal spacing. Apologies if the response seems rude. I'm sure you can appreciate that it is quite a challenge to spend hours researching, scripting, planning, filming and then editing a video. And then answer questions about things were specifically covered within the video. On top of all other work responsibilities and time with a growing family. All the best.

[@ReaMed-qh5fn]

😂🎉🎉❤

[@mondofarms4343]

😊😊

[@nsajimwasege68]

From Tanzania, I am happy to be your student at Mondo Farming College! Keep up the spirits Sir👏👏👏

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks and welcome

[@Tulip879]

How to be a student at this College? Fees?

[@hollybrunes5861]

Great job from Indiana, USA!

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@josephinekrangar9911]

I've been wondering which country mondo farm is in? You are doing so well and love watching you videos. 🙏🏽

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks Josephine. You can always google Mondo Farms to find out more. Take care

[@watulukamedia6724]

Zambia

[@gervasmwijage8657]

What is the name of the carrot seed?

[@mondofarms4343]

Hi there. The variety and brand of the carrot seed are clearly shown in the video. There is even a section where we endorsed the product, which we have never done before. Pls continue watching the video for the answer to your question

[@YvonneChikamba]

You really motivated me Mr chisha , how I wish I could talk to you face to face

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. Farming successfully is a long journey that requires a lot of hard work. Keep pushing.

[@YvonneChikamba]

@@mondofarms4343 ok thank you

[@MarereFarm]

Hello sir was your seed palleted or it was direct seed in the seeder Farmer in Zimbabwe

[@mondofarms4343]

Hi there. Pls check the video again around 13:00 - 15:00 to see how we planted the seed with our planter. Sorry, I dont understand what you mean by " seed palletted". Agriculture is full of many technical terms 😒 , which may not immediately be clear to everyone.

[@ronelsmith6906]

" palletted seed" are usually seeds that are covered in a clay like substance due to the size of the seed it is mainly done to make planting easier. :)

[@JamesVuciri]

Good training material

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed.

[@paint_yourzgaming6361]

New Video means new knowledge

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks.

[@chibesamutale568]

I learn a lot here love it

[@mondofarms4343]

You are most welcome Ba Chibesa 😊

[@confredenterprise]

God bless you bro

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks 😊

[@charlesbrightonchibaala6720]

Carrot 😂 Always inspired by your insightful videos

[@mondofarms4343]

😁 Thanks Ba Charles

[@universalangei9320]

You make me chuckle! I like your personality! I didn't know what you are talking about, the history of the record company!

[@mondofarms4343]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@normawright984]

If you make this video about farming carrots for the publicly ,then why the hell are you whispering I can't even hear what you are saying .So please allow the man in the cow boy hat to talk ,and you go work on the farm

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you for your input and for supporting our channel.

[@tmada8270]

looks like subsistence farming. why so many workers. Doesnt screem profitable good business model

[@mondofarms4343]

Yes, we are located in Zambia (a country in south-central Africa). Our videos share how we do things on the farm we have been developing for the past 3 years. We have yet to afford much mechanization yet, so most of our work is done manually. That also helps us provide employment to a sizable workforce, helping to solve a real problem of people earning steady income in such areas. Tractors and combine harvesters, etc, will come in time as we learn our farming game and develop the enterprise. No, we're not making much profit as yet, but I'm beginning to see light at the end of the dark tunnel we have been in. I'm fully committed to farming at this stage of my life and will keep pushing forward with it. We spend a lot of time and put in a lot of effort planning, shooting, and editing our videos, which are meant to help other developing farmers like us. Many of our primary audience are small-scale African farmers or those with an interest in going into agriculture. The channel was originally set up for an audience in Zambia and the rest of Africa, but now we are reaching well beyond that. Im glad to be able to show people outside the African continent a perspective of things outside what they may normally see. Those with an open mind are always welcome. Once in a while, we get comments from those in the West that seem to be trying to make us feel less than they are. That's not a great feeling and one that we really don't have to tolerate. It's 2023. Thanks for getting in touch. Take care.

[@akapseudonym2858]

@@mondofarms4343 - well said. What is amazing of the work you and other "KZbin" farm channels do is you show what i refer to as "The Art of the Possible". And it is exactly that - making the most of the available resources which is in essence what farming is all about. Not everyone starts with massive 150HP tractors and combine harvesters after all. Looking back at the "modern" western farms - they too started somewhere...I can assure you it wasnt with mechanisation. Anyway - rant over - thank you sir for the content. I have learnt more from this channel than most others given the amount of prep you clearly put into it. I appreciate you. Onward and upwards!

[@akapseudonym2858]

PS: This is a "lekker" channel :)

[@percysjohnsonmwapemukubwe.3705]

yes Farming is really really really a business vibe

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed.