Definitions of Common Enterprises
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Citrus (Machungwa) |
English: These are large shrubs or small to moderate-sized trees, with evergreen, shiny leaves that are often very strongly scented. The term citrus refers to a group of crops including oranges, lemons, tangerines and limes. Mature tree produces green to orange colored fruits with juice that usually contains a high quantity of citric acid giving them their characteristic sharp flavour. Kiswahili: Machungwa- Hizi ni vichaka vikubwa au miti midogo hadi ya wastani, yenye majani ya kijani kibichi, yanayong'aa ambayo mara nyingi huwa na harufu nzuri sana. Neno machungwa linamaanisha kundi la mazao ikiwa ni pamoja na machungwa, malimau, chenza na ndimu. Mti uliokomaa hutoa matunda ya rangi ya kijani kibichi hadi rangi ya chungwa na juisi ambayo kwa kawaida huwa na kiasi kikubwa cha asidi ya citric na kuyapa ladha yake kali. |
| Cashew Nut (Korosho) |
English: The cashew tree is large and evergreen, with a short stem, often with several branches when mature. Mature tree produce several flowers forming into an oval or pear-shaped yellowish fruit. When dry, the fruit turns into a hard shell with single kidney shaped nut. The nut is extracted carefully either through roasting or shelling. Kiswahili: Korosho - Mkorosho ni mti mkubwa na wa kijani kibichi kila wakati, una shina fupi, mara nyingi huwa na matawi kadhaa unapokomaa. Mti uliokomaa hutoa maua kadhaa na kutengeneza tunda la manjano lenye umbo la duara au peari. Inapokauka, tunda hubadilika kuwa ganda gumu na nati moja yenye umbo la figo. Nati hutolewa kwa uangalifu ama kwa kuchomwa au kuoka. |
| Mango (Maembe) |
English: Mango is a deep rooted, tropical tree with several branches. Young leaves are pinkish, turning to dark green as they mature. Mature trees produce fruits that may be round, oval, or kidney-shaped. Ripe fruit has a distinctive sweet smell and has a single, large seed protected by a tough casing. Kiswahili: Mwembe- ni mti wenye mizizi mirefu, ya kitropiki yenye matawi kadhaa. Majani machanga huwa na rangi ya waridi, hubadilika kuwa kijani kibichi huku yanapokomaa. Miti iliyokomaa hutoa matunda yanaitwa maembe ,ambayo kwa umbo lake yanaweza kuwa ya duara, mviringo, au umbo la figo. Matunda yaliyoiva yana harufu tamu ya kipekee na ina mbegu moja, kubwa iliyolindwa na kasha kali.Maembe ni ya aina nyingi. |
| Green Grams (Ndengu) |
English: Short, annual crop grown in warm places. Mature plant forms pencil sized pods with edible grains. Most grains are greenish in color but some varieties have brown/yellowish grains Kiswahili: Ndengu ni mazao mafupi, yanayokomaa kwa muda chini ya mwaka moja Mmea huu hupandwa katika maeneo yenye joto. Mmea uliokomaa huunda maganda ya ukubwa wa penseli na nafaka zinazotumika kama chakula. Nafaka nyingi zina rangi ya kijani kibichi lakini aina zingine zina nafaka za kahawia/manjano. |
| Millet (Mawele/Wimbi) |
English: Millet is a short crop annual crop with several tillers (additional stems from the main stem) with small seeds. Millet belongs to the grass family and is mainly found in warm places. The seed is used as cereal or source of energy but also has other many nutrition values. Kenya grows two main types of millet, namely: (a) Finger millet- short (about knee/waist height) grass like plant with several tillers and mature head appearing like open human fingers; Grain is brownish, other varieties are black in colour (b) Pearl Millet: Slightly taller (human height) plant with larger stems and grows several tillers and greyish green in colour. Kiswahili: Mawele/Wimbi- ni zao fupi la kila mwaka lenye machipukizi kadhaa (shina za ziada kutoka kwenye shina kuu) na mbegu ndogo. Wimbi ni wa familia ya nyasi na hupatikana hasa katika maeneo yenye joto. Mbegu hutumiwa kama nafaka au chanzo cha nishati lakini pia ina maadili mengine mengi ya lishe. Kenya hukuza aina kuu mbili za wimbi, nazo ni: (a) Wimbi au mtama wa kidole - mfupi (karibu urefu wa goti/kiuno) nyasi kama mmea wenye machipukizi kadhaa na kichwa kilichokomaa kikionekana kama vidole vya binadamu vilivyo wazi; Nafaka ni kahawia, aina nyingine ni nyeusi kwa rangi. b) Mtama(wimbi) wa Lulu: Mmea mrefu zaidi (urefu wa binadamu) wenye mashina makubwa zaidi na hukuza kulima kadha wa kadha na rangi ya kijani kibichi. machipukizi. |
| Cotton (Pamba) |
English: Cotton plant is a short perennial shrub grown in warm regions. It is mainly grown for its fruits, known as “bolls”. Once ripe, the bolls split to reveal whitish fiber known as cotton. The raw product is known as seed cotton, which is ginned to separate the fiber from the seeds. The fiber is spun to make yarn and woven to make fabric. The seeds provide oil and animal feed cakes. Kiswahili: Pamba ni kichaka kifupi cha kudumu kilichopandwa katika mikoa yenye joto. Hukuzwa zaidi kwa ajili ya matunda yake, inayojulikana kama "bolls". Mara baada ya kuiva, viunga hivyo hugawanyika na kuonyesha nyuzi nyeupe inayojulikana kama pamba. Bidhaa mbichi inajulikana kama pamba ya mbegu, ambayo huchujwa ili kutenganisha nyuzi kutoka kwa mbegu. Nyuzi husokotwa kutengeneza uzi na kufumwa kutengeneza kitambaa. Mbegu hizo hutoa keki za mafuta na malisho ya wanyama. |
| Avocado (Parachichi) |
English: The avocado is a dense, evergreen tree, shedding many leaves during dry periods. The leaves are dark green and dropped leaves are slow to decompose and may collect in mounds beneath trees. Mature tree produce green-skinned, fleshy fruit that may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical. Mostly, the fruits ripen after harvesting. Kiswahili: Parachichi - ni mti mnene, wa kijani kibichi kila wakati, mara nyingi hudondosha majani mengi wakati wa kiangazi. Majani ni ya kijani kibichi na majani makavu yaliyodondoshwa huchelewa kuoza na yanaweza kujikusanya kwenye vilima chini ya miti. Mti uliokomaa huzaa matunda ya ngozi ya kijani, yenye nyama ambayo yanaweza kuwa na umbo la peari, umbo la yai, au duara. Mara nyingi, matunda huiva baada ya kuvuna. |
| Tea (Majani Chai) |
English: An evergreen shrub or small tree, usually grown in compact plantation, whose leaves and leaf buds (last 3 young leaves) are plucked and processed in factories in order to produce tea. In Kenya, tea is grown in cool, wet places. In recent times, some farmers have started planting of purple tea (with purple leaves) Kiswahili: Chai (Majani Chai) Kichaka cha kijani kibichi kila wakati au mti mdogo, ambao kawaida hupandwa katika shamba dogo, ambalo majani yake na vichipukizi vya majani (majani 3 ya mwisho) huchunwa na kuwazilishwa viwandani ili kutoa chai. Nchini Kenya, chai hukuzwa katika maeneo yenye baridi na yenye unyevunyevu. Katika siku za hivi karibuni, baadhi ya wakulima wameanza kupanda chai ya zambarau (yenye majani ya zambarau) |
| Coffee (Kahawa) |
English: Is a small perennial tree or shrub with woody stem that has several branches. Mature crop produces seeds, called coffee beans, which are greenish when immature but turns into reddish cherry as they ripen. The cherry are harvested and processed to make various coffee beverages. Kiswahili: Kahawa ni mti mdogo wa kudumu au kichaka chenye shina la miti ambayo ina matawi kadhaa. Mazao yaliyokomaa hutoa mbegu, zinazoitwa maharagwe ya kahawa, ambayo ni ya kijani kibichi yakishakomaa lakini hubadilika kuwa nyekundu inapoiva. Kahawa huvunwa na kusindikwa ili kutengeneza vinywaji mbalimbali vya kahawa. |
| Sugarcane (Miwa) |
English: Sugarcane is a tropical, perennial plant of grass family with long sword-shaped leaves. Mature crops produce multiple stems, or cane stalks. The stalks are composed of many segments, and has sugary, sweet liquid that is usually processed to produce sugar. The green leaves may also be used as animal feeds. In Kenya, sugarcane is grown either for factory processing or for chewing. Kiswahili: Miwa ni mmea wa kitropiki, wa kudumu wa familia ya nyasi na majani marefu yenye umbo la upanga. Mazao yaliyokomaa hutoa mashina mengi, au mabua ya miwa. Mabua yanajumuisha sehemu nyingi, na ina sukari, kioevu tamu ambayo kwa kawaida huchakatwa ili kutoa sukari. Majani ya kijani yanaweza pia kutumika kama chakula cha mifugo. Nchini Kenya, miwa hukuzwa kwa ajili ya usindikaji kiwandani au kutafunwa. |
| Sweet potatoes ( Viazi tamu) |
English: Sweet potato is a short, ground covering branching plant with trailing long stems which are usually referred to as vines. The leaves are evergreen, soft, smooth, and shiny. Mature crop has long roots that develop into long and tapered tubers, with a smooth skin and flesh whose colour ranges between cream, yellow, orange, red, brown and purple. The flesh has a starchy, sweet taste. In Kenya, the crop is grown in most parts of the country. Kiswahili: Viazi vitamu ni mmea mfupi unaofunika ardhi, wenye matawi na mashina marefu yanayotambaa ambayo kwa kawaida hujulikana kama mizabibu. Majani ni ya kijani kibichi kila wakati, laini, laini na ya kung'aa. Mimea iliyokomaa ina mizizi mirefu ambayo hukua na kuwa mizizi mirefu na iliyopinda, yenye ngozi laini na nyama ambayo rangi yake ni kati ya cream, njano, chungwa, nyekundu, kahawia na zambarau. Nyama ina wanga, ladha tamu. Nchini Kenya, zao hilo hulimwa katika sehemu nyingi za nchi. |
| Onions (Kitunguu) |
English: The onion is most frequently a biennial plant, but is usually treated as an annual plant and harvested in its first growing season. The onion plant has a hollow, bluish-green leaves that may grow up to one ruler length. For some varieties, the stem of mature crop turns into a round-oval shaped bulb, usually found underground. Some varieties do not form round bulbs and are harvested as such. Both the leaves, stem and bulbs have strong, pungent smell that may irritate the eyes. In Kenya, four main varieties are grown, namely bulb onions, garlic, chives and leeks. Kiswahili: Kitunguu mara nyingi ni mmea wa miaka miwili, lakini kwa kawaida huchukuliwa kama mmea wa kila mwaka na huvunwa katika msimu wake wa kwanza wa kukua. Mmea wa kitunguu una majani matupu, ya kijani kibichi ambayo yanaweza kufikia urefu wa rula moja. Kwa aina fulani, shina la mazao ya kukomaa hugeuka kuwa lenye umbo la mviringo, kwa kawaida hupatikana chini ya ardhi. Aina zingine haziundi umbo za mviringo hat zinapokomaa lakini huvunwa vile vile na majani yake Pamoja na mashina kutumika. Majani, shina na balbu zote mbili zina harufu kali na ukali huo unaweza kuwasha macho wakati wa kuukatakata. Nchini Kenya, aina nne kuu hupandwa, ambazo ni vitunguu balbu, vitunguu saumu, chives na leeks. |
| Cabbages (Kabeji) |
English: Cabbage is a short annual crop with thick leaves that may be pale green, whitish or pink in color. The leave tend to be thick. For mature crops, the leaves curl inwards to cover a round head that range from 0.5kg to 4 kilograms. Cabbage is prepared and consumed in many ways. The simplest ways include eating the vegetable raw or steaming or frying it.The vegetable is grown either under irrigation or in cool climates under rain-fed conditions. Kiswahili: Kabeji ni zao fupi, linalokomaa kwa muda chini ya mwaka moja na majani yake huwa mazito yanayoweza kuwa ya rangi ya kijani kibichi, nyeupe au nyekundu. Kwa mazao yaliyokomaa, majani yanapinda ndani ili kufunika kichwa cha mviringo ambacho kinaanzia kilo 0.5 hadi kilo 4. Kabichi inaandaliwa na kuliwa kwa njia nyingi. Njia rahisi ni pamoja na kula mboga mbichi au kwa kuanika/kuipasha moto kidogo au kuikaanga. Mboga hupandwa kwa kumwagilia maji au katika maeneo ya hewa ya baridi chini ya hali ya mvua. |
| Groundnuts (Njugu karanga) |
English: The groundnut, also known as the peanut is an annual crop grown mainly for its edible seeds. The seeds grow in the soil inside special pods. The pods are broken to give the edible seed. The crop is mainly grown in western Kenya, Nyanza, parts of Meru, Taita Taveta. The shelled nuts can either be deep brown or very light brown in colour. Major uses of groundnuts is roasted and eaten as a snack, ground into paste for stews or used for making of peanut butter and for oil extraction. Kiswahili: Njugu karanga, pia hujulikana kama karanga ni zao linalokomaa chini ya mwaka moja na linalolimwa hasa kwa ajili ya mbegu zake zinazoliwa. Mbegu hukua kwenye udongo ndani ya maganda maalum. Maganda yanavunjwa ili kutoa mbegu zinazoliwa. Zao hili hulimwa zaidi magharibi mwa Kenya, Nyanza, sehemu za Meru, Taita Taveta. Karanga zilizokaushwa zinaweza kuwa za hudhurungi au hudhurungi nyepesi sana. Matumizi makubwa ya karanga hukaushwa na kuliwa kama vitafunio, kusagwa kuwa kitoweo kinachotumika kutengeneza au kuongezea kwa kitoweo au hutumika kutengeneza siagi ya karanga inayoweza kupakia mkate na karanga pia inaweza kukamuliwa mafuta. |
| Miraa or Khat |
English: Khat is a slow-growing evergreen shrub, which is cultivated as a bush or small tree. The leaves are dark pink, and usually plucked for chewing. The plant is seedless and hardy, growing mainly in warm climatic conditions. The leaves of khat are chewed by the people for its stimulant action. Its young buds and tender leaves are chewed to attain a state of euphoria and stimulation. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant, which is said to cause excitement. In Kenya, Miraa is mainly grown in Meru, Embu and parts of Tharaka Nithi County Kiswahili: Miraa ni kichaka cha kijani kibichi kinachokua polepole, ambacho hupandwa kama kichaka au mti mdogo. Majani ni ya rangi ya pinki, na kwa kawaida huchunwa kutumika kwa kutafuna. Mmea hauna mbegu na sugu, hukua haswa katika sehemu za joto. Majani ya miraa hutafunwa na watu kwa sababu ya athari yake ya kusisimua mwili. Matawi yake machanga na majani mabichi hutafunwa ili kupata hali ya furaha na msisimko. Khati ina alkaloid cathinone, kichocheo, ambacho kinasemekana kusababisha msisimko. Nchini Kenya, Miraa hupandwa zaidi kaunti za Meru, Embu na sehemu za Kaunti ya Tharaka Nithi. |
| Tomato (Nyanya) |
English: Short, annual/seasonal crop with several branches. Mature plant produces juicy fruits; immature fruits are greenish, while mature fruits turn cherry red Kiswahili: Nyanya ni mazao mafupi, komaa kwa muda chini ya mwaka moja / ni mmea wa msimu wenye matawi kadhaa. Mmea uliokomaa hutoa matunda yenye juisi; matunda machanga yana rangi ya kijani kibichi, wakati matunda yaliyokomaa yanageuka nyekundu ya cheri. |
| Coconut (Nazi) |
English: Is a large palm tree, with large umbrella-like leaves, usually grown as scattered trees. For mature crops, the old leaves break away, leaving smooth strong stem or trunk. Mature tree produces a fruit with hard outer cover and whitish flesh that can be eaten raw or dried into powder. Immature, greenish fruits has liquid that can be used as human drink. In Kenya, coconut is mainly grown in warm, low altitude, coastal regions. Kiswahili: Nazi ni mtende mkubwa, wenye majani makubwa kama mwavuli, ambayo kawaida hupandwa kama miti iliyotawanyika. Kwa mazao ya kukomaa, majani ya zamani hutengana, na kuacha shina au shina laini. Mti uliokomaa hutoa tunda lenye kifuniko kigumu cha nje na nyama nyeupe ambayo inaweza kuliwa mbichi au kukaushwa kuwa unga. Matunda machanga, yenye rangi ya kijani kibichi yana kimiminiko ambacho kinaweza kutumika kama kinywaji cha binadamu. Nchini Kenya, nazi hupandwa zaidi katika maeneo yenye joto, mwinuko wa chini, maeneo ya pwani. |
| Macadamia |
English: Macadamia is an evergreen tree, with large, dark-green leaves. Mature tree forms a greenish fruit that contains a hard, brownish shell. When the shell is cracked, a dark brown nut appears. The macadamia nut tree is a fast-growing, medium-sized evergreen tree with heavy, spherical shaped nut. In Kenya, Macadamia is grown…… Kiswahili: Macadamia Macadamia ni mti wa kijani kibichi kila wakati, na majani makubwa ya kijani kibichi. Mti uliokomaa huunda tunda la kijani kibichi ambalo lina ganda gumu, la hudhurungi. Ganda linapopasuka huomyesha nati yenyewe. Mti wa macadamia ni mti unaokua kwa kasi, wa saizi ya wastani na kokwa nzito yenye umbo la duara. Nchini Kenya, Macadamia hukuzwa sehemu zinazokuza kahawa.Mara nyingi hupandwa pamoja na miti ya kahawa. |
| Banana (Ndizi) |
English: A banana plant is a large tropical plant with large, wide, evergreen leaves. The original plant usually produce several tillers, unless pruned. The trunk or stem is soft and watery. Mature crop produces large sized head with several green fruits that often turn yellowish as the fruit matures. The fruits which are called bananas can be eaten ripe as dessert or cooked depending on the variety. Kiswahili: Ndizi -Mgomba au ndizi ni mmea mkubwa wa kitropiki wenye majani makubwa, mapana na ya kijani kibichi kila wakati. Mmea wa asili kawaida hutoa machipukizi/ wanyonyaji kadhaa, yasipong’olewa. Shina ni laini na majimaji. Mazao yaliyokomaa hutoa kichwa kikubwa na matunda kadhaa ya kijani ambayo mara nyingi hubadilika kuwa ya manjano wakati matunda yanakomaa. Matunda ambayo huitwa ndizi yanaweza kuliwa yakiwa yameiva au kupikwa kulingana na aina ya ndizi iliyokuzwa. |
| Cassava (Muhogo) |
English: Cassava plant is a perennial woody shrub that grows from about 2-3 meters in height. The leaves are palmate (like open hand-shaped) and dark green in color. Mature crops has long rots that grow into dark-brown, starchy tuber with rough skin. Cassava is generally considered as one of the most drought tolerant crop. The root has a brown fibrous skin and snowy white interior flesh. The leaves of some varieties are used as a vegetable. The crop is mainly grown in warm places in the coast, eastern, western and Nyanza regions Kiswahili: Mmea wa muhogo ni kichaka cha kudumu cha miti ambacho hukua kutoka takriban mita 2-3 kwa urefu. Majani ni mitende (kama umbo la mkono wazi) na rangi ya kijani kibichi. Mazao yaliyokomaa hukua hadi mizizi yake mirefu huwa na rangi ya hudhurungi-nyeusi, yenye wanga na ngozi isiyo nyororo. Muhogo kwa ujumla huchukuliwa kuwa moja ya zao linalostahimili ukame. Mzizi una ngozi ya kahawia yenye nyuzinyuzi na nyama nyeupe ya ndani. Majani ya aina fulani hutumiwa kama mboga. Zao hili hulimwa zaidi maeneo ya joto katika mikoa ya pwani, mashariki, magharibi na Nyanza. |