Onion Farming in Zambia: 2021 Update 6 (Oct 30): How We Harvest and Dry Tonnes of Onion

The fifth update on our 2021 onion crop tells the story of how we are harvesting and starting to dry the bulbs.
We also introduce the storage structures being constructed and discuss the importance of storing vegetables during times when prices are low.

[@uncleb5221]

Its beautiful to see Zambian content like this. So proud

[@hectormukemu7001]

Keep it up brother, you’re doing a good job!!

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@bettynguluwe8033]

I love how you keep track of the varieties you planted. Very impressive that you track dates from nursery, transplant and harvest time.

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you very much! It's important to be organised.

[@lisiusabok4534]

Thank you for your channel, may it open the heart of people all over the world that we can grow provide food for the people. All it takes is some a miracle known as hardworking and dedication to serve the land.

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed

[@eyeandisinclair821]

Hey bro we have 2 things in common, we both support the Gunners ,and farming is something we love .🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@mondofarms4343]

COYG

[@chrisneemzi]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful information. I appreciate how you pay attention to detail.

[@mondofarms4343]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeanhamoonga346]

Very good content. I just did a small portion of red onion for my school as I prepare to go slightly big. Since then I have been searching for videos like this one and am glad I tumbled on this one. This has been so helpful. Thank you

[@mondofarms4343]

Glad to hear that. 🙏

[@simontyrrell8866]

Another great video, thanks for making it, I love the insights into your world of agriculture.

[@mondofarms4343]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rosemcnicol2200]

Great works good team therr keep it up feeding the nation

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks, will do!

[@Mfzambia]

Thanks sir you are sharing wonderful tips

[@mondofarms4343]

Most welcome

[@pacificcapeinvestments5194]

Great video. Zikomo kwambili. Love from Zimbabwe

[@mondofarms4343]

Most welcome

[@justforfun8647]

Very nice video 👌💪🇿🇲

[@mondofarms4343]

Glad you liked it!

[@alisafieddine947]

God bless you sir, thank you for being an inspiration.

[@mondofarms4343]

My pleasure

[@alimanda1204]

These videos are quite informative 👌

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@christopherkashimba1603]

Thanks Mr Folotiya.Keep up the good work👍👍

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you, we will

[@chumaazvin61]

Thanks so much ,i love your videos.

[@mondofarms4343]

You are so welcome!

[@sheriffegbulefu5594]

Am amazed and impressed at your work, especially with your onions farming. I'm motivated, but is onion farming profitable given your overhead?

[@mondofarms4343]

Good question. Not an easy one to answer. There's uncertainty in all farming. I recommend starting with easier crops or onion on a smaller scale to learn and develop experience.

[@robertsankela3789]

very interesting and i love it

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@jasonthatcher8281]

Gorgeous looking onions, honestly. I know this is an older video but these onions look great. Did you get as good a return if you can remember back as you wanted?

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks. The return on the 2021 crop was okay. Enough to encourage us to try again last year, at a much larger scale.

[@chitalusooka4978]

proud of you guys!

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@loummosesamone]

Great video….I’d like to follow up on the construction of the storage facilities. What’s the next video where that is showcased

[@mondofarms4343]

Indeed.

[@mweembamoomba16]

Good job 👌👍

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@waliywamooto6565]

Powerful work

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks 😊

[@martinsalale1025]

Very inspiring, please empower some of us youths,we have land but financial capital.

[@mondofarms4343]

All the best.

[@stevenmutale4665]

How do you sort and grade them? This is impressive ba Chisha

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks 😊

[@sillargemnthali5449]

So inspiring Much love ❤️

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@anniechilupula6740]

Like farming, would like to expand Thank you for encouraging me.

[@mondofarms4343]

That's great to hear, and one of the reasons why we make these videos. All the best in your ventures.

[@Godwin1983april]

I want to learn more on the irrigation (how often) and the plant nutrients you add to get such a good yield.

[@mondofarms4343]

Good question. The irrigation interval is dependent on soil characteristics. If the soils have good drainage (sandy loamy soils) the after two days could be enough. If the soils are clay, the interval can be after 3 or 4 days

[@turamagmz5118]

Nice farm here👏🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿 What about the onion leaves? You don't use them? In Mali, onion leaves green or dry are used in sauce.

[@mondofarms4343]

Yes, people do use them sometimes for cooking . But the leaves are not a big money earner compared to the bulbs, so they were not given a high priority. We actually use the leaves for making compost for future vegetable crops.

[@stevenmufichani7894]

Would appreciate to know how long you leave onions in the beds after lifting them. And how long do you sun dry them? Was thinking keeping them in a cool storage is better, I do onions on a small scale & improve every season. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@mondofarms4343]

What we do is called 'field curing' and involves leaving the onions out to dry for 2-3 weeks (weather dependent). The aim is to dry off the necks and outer leaves, which should turn papery for easier handling and transport off the field. After that, they are placed in 'protected curing' in a cool, well ventilated space for a longer period.

[@patriciamwansa8721]

Nice to see!

[@mondofarms4343]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@happysichizya7508]

So inspiring..do we call this drip irrigation

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@ChristineChibwe-z8l]

Where do you take the onion leaves? Don't you clean them and dry them as a spice?

[@mondofarms4343]

The leaves are used to make compost.

[@saleemsiddiqui1870]

You have excellent team 🎉 I have a friend in Zambia Mr Sikota Wina his wife died few years ago princess wina nakatindi 😢

[@mondofarms4343]

Hi Sir. The Winas are very well known in Zambia. By the way, Mr Sikota Wina also passed away some days ago aged 90. Loss of a great Zambian. MHSRIP.

[@adapasuryarao9926]

Good job

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@MatthewsMulenga-p8w]

Watching within Zambia, how the market and where do you sell them please help very interested

[@mondofarms4343]

Welcome aboard.

[@MunshiJacob]

I love this

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks

[@lusungutomoka2781]

When did you plant this Onion for it to be harvested in October?

[@mondofarms4343]

Yoh, your question takes me back all the way to 2021. Been so busy since then. Pls have a look at earlier videos in the series for that year, which will guide you. All the best.

[@neliaphiri2270]

Brilliant

[@mondofarms4343]

Thanks 😊

[@dorothychanda9760]

When is the best time to plant white onions in zambia?

[@mondofarms4343]

In this part of Africa, onion is planted from Nov-July.

[@happysichizya7508]

Which one is best ?capricio or f1 variety.then for red creole or bombay

[@mondofarms4343]

Each variety has different features and characteristics. It really just depends on what the farmer is looking for. the word "best" is hard to describe. Sorry I cant give you a better answer. You will know once you get into onion farming.

[@jaysevenmegavibes]

So how much do you make in every harvest of onions

[@mondofarms4343]

Jay, what a question to ask a business person! Channels like ours are not ones that will never reveal such numbers. Our channel is just here to guide and inspire as we share our journey. Yes, there are other channels that may give business numbers, but that is a choice they have made. We will never mention such.

[@ongodiasam4930]

I am from Uganda 🇺🇬 I would like to visit your farm for more knowledge.

[@mondofarms4343]

if you need to get in touch, our contacts are available on Google and Facebook.

[@JesusisLord78]

How do you sort out the different sizes of onions for packaging?

[@mondofarms4343]

Manual sorting. Quite a tedious and labour intensive process.

[@pacificcape3839]

How many tonnes did you manage to harvest here?

[@mondofarms4343]

Please note that businesses like ours often make the choice not to share such numbers and amounts online. Others do so, but we don't. It's proprietary.

[@christophermapira7751]

Is capricio variety good

[@mondofarms4343]

Sadly, Capricio does not keep for very long after harvest. It is fair and was good to start out with. Hence, we have since moved onto other varieties in 2022. please check out our more recent videos to see what we are planting now.

[@daoudakonate9407]

Hi

[@mondofarms4343]

Greetings