KENYA · GUIDE 0007 · EDITION 4.2
Dhania Farming Risks and Launch Plan for a Small Trial
Identify what can go wrong
Coriander intended for fresh leaves can fail commercially even when some plants grow. A kitchen may reject coarse or flowering material; leaves can be damaged when stacked under heavier produce; and frequent small deliveries can cost more than expected. Record the specific risk for your crop, route and buyer rather than relying on a universal yield or income claim.
Bolting means the plant begins producing a flowering stem. Track when it appears and whether the customer accepts the product. Local conditions and variety can affect the result, so seek locally relevant advice if it becomes a recurring problem. Avoid recommending a pesticide or other treatment without a correct diagnosis and current applicable guidance.
Plan a limited test
Choose a manageable growing area, one seed lot and a reachable prospective buyer. Record the seed source, sowing date, water arrangement and planned delivery format. KEPHIS explains seed certification, but a packet or general webpage does not guarantee the outcome on a particular plot. Avoid committing to a large order before you know your capacity and the buyer's acceptance criteria.
Before harvesting, reconfirm the order and agree a realistic handover time. Prepare the requested rooted or cut format. Keep records of rejected material and time spent separating stems. Arrange packages so the leaves are not crushed by heavier goods, and review whether ties are too tight or moisture accumulates. The exact packing solution needs to be tested on the real journey.
Set a response for each failure
If a buyer reports wilting, compare harvest and arrival conditions, route time and packing before making a change. If the buyer rejects a bunch, record the reason and agreed remedy. If a payment is delayed, record the amount and follow the agreed payment terms; do not treat an invoice as cash already received. If water access is uncertain, confirm the arrangement before increasing production.
Decide whether to expand
After the trial, compare accepted and paid bunches with direct costs and unpaid balances. Consider the operator's time, equipment replacement and the risk of unsold crop separately. Continue or adjust only when the evidence supports the decision. One successful delivery does not establish repeat demand or a safe shelf life; a failed trial can still identify a specific improvement to test.