Date Palm

About the crop: This crop has a growth habit described as "tree". You can normally start harvesting about 365 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh and dried dates for food security and market sales..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Grown in hot arid East African pockets with irrigation access. It is grouped under: Fruits & Nuts.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 24 and 38 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 100 to 400 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 7. It does well in deep, fertile, well-drained soil with good organic matter.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 500 centimetres apart, and leave about 500 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 30 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use good quality seed or healthy planting material. Follow local extension advice for the exact amount per hectare.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 180 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.