Page 110 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Harvesting, postharvest management and marketing of common peas
Common peas, garden peas and field peas offer good income to the farmer if
harvested, handled, and marketed properly. This section explains how to harvest
peas at the right time, manage and sell them for better profit.
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Harvesting of common peas
The time to harvest common peas varies with the variety grown and growing
conditions such as temperature, rainfall and soil type. Most common peas are
ready for harvest in 70 to 90 days after planting. Garden peas should be harvested
when the pods are green, full, and the seeds inside are soft and sweet. If left too
long, they become hard and lose quality. Field peas should be harvested when the
pods turn yellow or brown, and the seeds inside are hard and dry.

Smallholder farmers use hand-picking to harvest peas. Garden peas are picked by
plucking the pods. Field peas are either picked or the whole plant is pulled or cut
using a knife or sickle. In large farms, harvesting machines can be used to harvest
the crop. Figure 6.6 (a) shows the harvesting of garden snow peas, while Figure
6.6 (b) shows dry peas ready for harvesting.

Figure 6.6 (a): Harvesting of garden snow peas
Source: https://nation.africa/kenya/business/seeds-of-gold/how-we-farm-export-quality-snow-
peas-broccoli-3935274

Student’s Book Form Three 101

17/09/2025 14:12
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 101
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 101 17/09/2025 14:12