What are agricultural nets?

Agricultural nets are protective polythene-based threaded or woven material with pore sizes designed to meet specific farm needs

A shadenet installed over a water pan by Grekkon Limited in Kapkatet area, Uasin Gishu county

Agricultural nets are broadly categorised into; insect nets, shade nets, and bird nets. Grekkon Limited’s agricultural nets are manufactured uniquely for tropical climates, and all are UV treated. This is because of the high radiation levels experienced throughout the year in these locations. The net width and length vary depending on the net use type and net density

Bird nets agricultural nets designed to keep off bird pests in the farm. They are used to protect crop, poultry and fish or other aquatic ventures that are prone to bird pest attack.

Grekkon limited’s bird nets are spread as a cover over crop, a fish pond or poultry rearing place. Alternatively, it is also erected on the sides particularly for crops and poultry.

It allows insect pollination for the crop while preventing bird pest attacks

Insect nets are agricultural nets designed to protect the crop from insect pests. They are usually white in color to reflect plenty of light which in itself is an insect repellent. Grekkon Limited’s insect nets are supplied as 30M x 5.5M or 50M x 30M and a grower decides the most fitting option based on the dimensions of the structure

Our pore sizes are 9mm squared (low density insect nets), and 4mm squared (high density insect nets). The latter one is ideal for crops prone to attacks from very tiny insects such as white flies

How to use insect agricultural nets in Kenya

1. In your greenhouse

   An insect net is a side netting in a greenhouse structure to prevent insect pest entry

2. Solar dryers

   Grekkon Limited’s natural solar dryers, insect nets cover the airflow vents and also as a component of the shelf. On the shelf, to support drying of small gains such rice without them dropping off

3. In your shade net house

   As a side netting for shade houses- similar to a greenhouse

4. As a fish pond covering

   To cover a fish pond. As a safety measure for children and pets in a fish pond or small to a medium-sized water reservoir

Agricultural Nets FAQs

Summary

We train farmers on the proper installation of agricultural nets to avoid damage and tearing. This reduces the net’s overall lifespan. Grekkon Limited’s technicians and agronomists are available to advise farmers on net selection, use, and installation

Shade nets are agricultural nets that provide a cover to protect crops from excess heat and light. Grekkon Limited’s shade nets are made to provide varying degrees of shade to the crop

These are categorised into the following light filtration rates; 30%, 55%, 75% and 90%. For instance a net allowing in 45% light will be described as a 55% shade net. Our shade net rolls are 50M long, and 4M wide (an area of 200meters square) for all types of nets, and colors

The appropriate light filtration rate is determined by the crop type, stage of growth, and altitude of the location

Our agricultural nets installation cost in Kenya depends on:

• The size of the shade house structure
• Types of shade nets being installed
• Frame type of the shade house; is it wooden or metallic?
• The design of the shade house; is a flat or curved roof?

30% shade nets installed by Grekkon Limited in a commercial capsicum farm in Muthwani area, Machakos county

A shade house, like a greenhouse will be utilised commercially for the production of;

• seedlings. for vegetable crops, tubers such as potato, fruits, and forestry
• cuttings. for flowers and other ornamentals
• ornamentals. flowers and other decorative plants
• herbs and spices such as rosemary, geraniums, lemon grass, mint and others
• vegetables such as cabbage, sweet peppers, carrot, coriander and others
• fruit seedlings, cuttings and graftings
• forestry seedlings, cuttings and graftings

Shade net fencing is another use of shade nets when they are placed along the plant edges as wind breaks, and to prevent livestock from accessing the crops. Our shade nets for sale are provided at the bottom of this article, prices included.

Which shade net is best?

Our  agricultural shade nets to select from by a grower are determined by the shading required. For instance, a grower doing vegetable crop nurseries will need more shading than one with a mature crop under shade. A farmer in a hot lowland climatic zone will use a net with higher shading than one in a cool highland climatic location for the same crop, at the same stage of growth. During the hardening stage of a crop, a farmer will use a lighter net than the one used in the earlier stage of the crop.

How to farm with agricultural shadenets