Plum Farming in Kenya

Plum farming in Kenya is and has not been widespread as other fruit farming ventures like mango or avocado farming. It has gained popularity in the last few decades with the growing interest in diverse fruit farming options, introduction of suitable varieties and better understanding of the crop’s requirements. Plum trees are deciduous, requiring a cool climate that has distinct seasons for them to thrive. They are primarily grown in Kenya’s highland regions, where the climate and soil are favourable. The main areas being Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Nakuru, Kericho and some parts of Meru County.

Plums are stone fruits that belong to the genus Prunus, which also includes peaches, cherries and almonds. They are known for their juicy flesh and smooth, often colourful skin, ranging from red and purple to yellow and green. Plums are known to be rich in vitamins A, C, and K, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, making them popular for fresh consumption and processing into products like jams, juices and prunes.

Popular plum varieties grown in Kenya.

• Santa Rosa
• Satsuma
• Shiro
• Cherry plum
• Harry Pickstone

Ideal Climate and Soil requirements for the growth of plums

Temperatures: Plum requires temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. They need a cool period to encourage flowering.

Rainfall: Plums require well distributed rainfall of about 800-1200mm per year. However, they do not tolerate waterlogging making proper drainage essential.

Soil type: Well-drained, loamy soils with good organic matter content are ideal. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, between 5.5 and 6.5.

Propagation of plums

Plums can be propagated from seeds but for uniformity in fruit quality and early maturity, grafting is recommended. It is advisable to get the grafted seedlings from certified nurseries like Richfarm Kenya. You can contact Richfarm Kenya on 0724698357/0723213602/0798919007 to place your order.

Ideal spacing for plum trees

We recommend a spacing of 5m between your plum trees and by 5m between the rows to allow enough room for growth and ease of management.

Planting holes size

When preparing to plant your plum trees, dig holes measuring 60cm by 60cm by 60cm that is 2ft by 2ft by 2ft and then mix the topsoil with compost or well-decomposed manure before refilling the hole.

Planting time

The best time to plant your plums is during the onset of the rainy season, usually in March or October. Timing this period is important to ensure sufficient water availability and good establishment of the seedling.

Management practices in plum farming

Irrigation

Just like other plants, plums need supplementary irrigation during the dry seasons especially during the flowering and fruit development stages.

Pruning

Pruning your plums is very important as it will help you get rid of the dead or diseased branches, encourage air circulation and will also shape your plant in a way that allows sunlight penetration. The best time to prune your plant trees will definitely be during their dormant season, ideally June or July.

Common plum pests and diseases

Plum trees are susceptible to several pests and diseases, which can impact fruit quality and yield if not properly managed. Some of the common ones are.

• Aphids-These are sap sucking insects that cause leaf curling, stunted growth, and transmit viral diseases.
• Fruit flies-The lay eggs inside the fruit, leading to maggot-infested plums.
• Plum Curculio-Plum curculio pest bores into the fruit to lay eggs causing premature fruit drop.
• Scale insects- These insects attach themselves to the plant branches and suck sap, weakening the tree and causing the branches to start drying up.
• Brown rot: This is a fungal disease that causes fruit rot, blossom blight, and cankers on branches. Its best control is pruning and removing infected parts, applying fungicides and ensuring proper air circulation around the plants.
• Black Knot- A fungal disease that causes black, swollen galls on the branches, leading to dieback.
• Bacterial spot- This disease causes small, water-soaked lesions on leaves, fruit, and twigs leading to defoliation and fruit blemishes.

Maturity period, Harvesting and Post-harvest handling of plums

Plums take about 3 years from planting to begin fruiting. Once the fruits are mature and are ready for harvesting, the biggest indicator is the colour change then softening of their skin. Plums have a delicate skin and therefore they need to be handled carefully to avoid damaging them.

Waiting for a fruit to reach its maturity and properly harvesting it is not enough. Proper post-harvest handling is crucial to maintain quality for marketability. Once you have harvested your plums, as a commercial farmer you should grade your plums, sort them out in terms of quality and size and then store them ready for market. If you are into value addition, process your plums in to jams, juices, dried prunes and many other products. This will extend the shelf life of your produce and also open up new market opportunities.

Market potential for plums

Local market

Plums among other fruits are a popular choice for fresh consumption. In Kenya we have supermarket chains, specialty stores, groceries, market stalls etc offering market for our plums.

Export market

There is a potential for exporting our Kenyan plums to regional markets such as Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and also to the European markets. However, if you target the export markets, meeting international quality standards and certification will be crucial.

Challenges in plum fruit farming

While plum farming is profitable, it is not without challenges. Some of the challenges you are likely to encounter as a farmer are,

Changing climate_ Unexpected weather patterns can really affect flowering and fruit set.

Pest and disease-Plums are susceptible to pests and diseases and therefore they need to be managed properly to ensure the plants have high yields

Market fluctuations -Sometimes the law of supply and demand may actually hit in, and the prices may fluctuate depending on the supply and demand and this may affect profitability.