Kale or borecole is a form of cabbage (Brassica oleracea Acephala Group), green or purple, in which the central leaves do not form a head. It is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most domesticated forms...wikipidia’’
Sukuma Wiki is a popular Kenyan side dish that can be made out of collards or kale.
In Kenya, the plant traditionally used is a tall- growing cabbage variety elsewhere known as "walking stick cabbage" for the tall woody stalk it produces. It is often served with ugali, a porridge made from maize. Translated literally from Swahili, sukuma wiki means 'to push out the week', implying that it is a staple used to stretch the family meals to last for the week.
Ordinarily Kales are known to attain a knee level height or slightly taller, before it dries up or cease to be productive; but not here in Ngarua, in Mr. Kiarahus farm, Kales are clocking two and a half meters and still producing healthy leaves. When the Isinya focal group came to Ngarua on an exchange visit, they marveled at the up normal height of the green leafy ‘‘Sukuma wiki’’ they thought it was a unique species, but they were informed that it was the ordinary kales! Then what is the difference? What the secret of planting kales in Ngarua? ‘‘They asked”.
The fertility Drenches.
Kales require very fertile grounds, rich in manure and humus; to begin with, one must dig up a drench called a fertility drench. The drench is usually 2 x 2 ft and any length depending on farmer preference. The top rich soil is removed to one side and the inner profile is left aside. Dry matter like maize stalks or any other vegetation are laid at the bottom of the drench, green vegetation are then placed on top of the dry ones, animals manure are placed on top of the green matter and the top soil are then returned to cover the drench with small proportions of animals manure.
The sub-soil is placed along the edge of the drench to form a shallow basin where the water can be trapped during rainfall of incase of irrigation. During dry season, it’s advisable to pour water into the new drench for at least one week before planting, but when moisture is adequate planting can commence immediately.
Plant are transplanted from the nursery and sowed with a spacing of 2 x 2 ft. To prevent them from loosing too must water; new plants are mulched using dry matter. Green matter can attract pest like termites, cut worms and other small beetles which can destroy the plants.
Kales planted in this method grows very tall and produces healthy leaves for a longer time thus increasing the amount of profits and withstanding extreme weather changes.
The method is therefore recommended for dry areas.
Nutritional value of ‘Sukuma Wiki’ Kale is considered to be a highly nutritious vegetable with powerful antioxidant properties; kale is considered to be anti-inflammatory.
Kale is very high in beta carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in calcium. Kale, as with broccoli and other brassicas, contains sulforaphane (particularly when chopped or minced), a chemical believed to have potent anti-cancer properties.
Information sourced from the internet http://kitchengardeners.org/recipes/sukuma-wiki-kenyan-style-sauteed-greens and by direct observation.
By
Bett Kipsang
FO Ngarua Maarifa Center.
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