Markies ni variety ya viazi ya kibiashara sana. KFC, chips companies huzinunua nyingi.
*Kwa nini Markies ni poa kwa biashara:*
1. *Chips quality*: Ina dry matter ya juu, mafuta haiyui. Chips zinatoka golden + crispy. Hii ndio sababu processors hupenda.
2. *Yield*: Aka 50kg inatoa bags 40-60 kama umelima sawa. 1 acre = 80-120 bags.
3. *Hidumu kwa store*: Ngozi ngumu, haziozi haraka. Unaweza ngoja bei ipande.
4. *Soko iko*: Hoteli, chips mwitu, factories. Demand > supply Kenya mzima.
*Mambo muhimu ya ukulima wa Markies:*
1. *Mchanga + pH*: Penda mchanga mwepesi, well-drained. pH 5.5-6.5. Udongo wa matope = viazi vidogo + scab.
2. *Mbegu*: Tumia certified seed tubers. Markies ni rahisi kupata disease kama unatumia za soko. Bei: 4k-6k per 50kg bag.
3. *Upanzi*: 30cm between plants, 75cm between rows. Shimo 10-15cm deep. Mwezi mzima 3-4 ndio best nakuru
4. *Mbolea*: DAP 200kg/acre wakati wa kupanda + CAN 100kg top dress week 6. Markies ni "mzito wa kula" - bila mbolea, haileti.
5. *Maji*: Muhimu sana week 6-10 wakati viazi vinaunda. Ukosefu wa maji = viazi vidogo. Usizidishe maji ama itaoza.
6. *Mavuno*: Miezi 3.5-4. Alama: majani yanakauka 70%. Curing kama onions - acha kwa shamba 1 week ili ngozi ingumu.
*Magumu yake:*
1. *Late blight*: Ni adui #1. Dawa kila wiki 2 mvua ikiwa nyingi.
2. *Mbegu ni ghali*: Kuanzia 1 acre unahitaji 12-15 bags za mbegu = 60k+.
3. *Inataka mbolea*: Kama udongo wako ni mchanga, budget ya mbolea lazima iwe juu.
*Bei Nakuru 2026*: Markies safi 2800-3500 per 110kg bag kwa shamba. Wakati wa upungufu inafika 4k+.
Unataka kuanza na 1/4 acre kujaribu, au tayari una shamba ready? Nikuwekee budget ya 1 acre ya Markies?