Castor bean

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 120–180 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for oilseed (castor oil), industrial uses; ornamental (toxic seeds).

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

Where it grows: Northeast Africa; grown across semi-arid tropics incl. East Africa It is grouped under: Oil & Industrial.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 400 to 800 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2000 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 7.5. It does well in well-drained loam/sandy loam; tolerates marginal soils but dislikes waterlogging. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 90 centimetres apart, and leave about 60 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 3 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 12 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.