How to market your fruit: Strategies for success 

Having a look at the competitive marketplace today, marketing your fruit effectively can make all the difference between a thriving and profitable business and one that struggles to stay afloat. Whether you are a small organic farm, or a local fruit vendor, or even part of a bigger agricultural business, having a solid marketing strategy is key. In our today's topics, we will explore tried and proven strategies that can help you successfully market your fruit and boost your sales.

Urban Farming: Farming Fresh Produce Out Of Urban Spaces

Understanding Your Target Market

Before diving into specific marketing techniques, it’s essential to understand who your target market is for your fruits. Are you selling to health-conscious consumers, a school setting, gourmet chefs, or local grocery stores? Understanding your audience will help tailor your marketing efforts to meet their needs.

1. Create an Engaging Brand Story

A compelling brand story can set you apart from the competition. Share your journey, how you grew your fruit, your passion for farming, and your commitment to quality. Use storytelling to connect emotionally with your customers, making them more likely to choose your product over others.

2. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Utilizing social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X formerly Twitter and Pinterest are fantastic tools for showcasing your fruit. 

3. High-Quality Visuals

 Post vibrant and appealing photos of your fruit to catch the eye of potential customers. Bright colors and fresh produce can attract more viewers making them have a craving for your fruit.

4. Engagement

Here you interact with your followers by responding to comments and messages. You can also create polls or ask questions to encourage engagement. Direct engagement enables you to share your story and the unique characteristics of your fruits. Providing samples can entice potential customers, while promotional offers or discounts for first-time buyers can encourage initial purchases. Building relationships with local chefs and food bloggers can also amplify your reach, as they can feature your fruits in their dishes or posts, further extending your market presence.

In addition to social media, participating in local farmers' markets and community events can significantly enhance your visibility. 

5. User-Generated Content

This encourages your customers to share pictures of your fruit and tag your business. This builds community and serves as free marketing.

Exploring The Market For Your Fruits and Vegetables: Where Do I Sell My Fruits and Vegetables

6. Consider sharing recipes, health benefits, and behind-the-scenes stories about your farming practices. This not only builds brand awareness but also fosters a connection with consumers who value transparency and sustainability.

Another good strategy is to focus on niche marketing by showcasing specialty fruits or unique varieties that are not widely available. This can attract food enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers looking for something different. Collaborating with organic or health food stores can also be an excellent opportunity as these venues often cater to customers who prioritize quality produce.

Lastly, leveraging customer feedback and testimonials can help refine your marketing strategy, ensuring you continually meet the needs and expectations of your audience. By combining these strategies, you can effectively market your fruit and achieve long-lasting success in a highly competitive marketplace.

At Richfarm Kenya, the farmer's friends, we believe Udongo ni Mali. We propagate certified fruit and vegetable seedlings, farm management service providers and marketers of fresh produce. You can prepare to plant seedlings from Richfarm Kenya nurseries in Embu or Naivasha. Call or WhatsApp them on 0724698357/0723213602 to place your order. Here is a list of seedlings we propagate at Richfarm Kenya, and you can also visit our website https://www.richfarmkenya.com/ for more detailed articles on Fruit Farming.

• Strawberry 🍓 50/=
• Grafted Hass Avocado 🥑 150/=
• Grafted Fuerte Avocado 🥑150/=
• Grafted Tommy and Apple Mangoes 🥭 150/=
• Grafted Ngowe mango 🥭 150/=
• Grafted Macadamia 350/=
• Grafted purple passion 100/=
• Loquats 200/= 
• Sweet granadilla 80/=
• Stevia 60, 100/-
• Grapes (white, red, green) 350/=
• Grafted pixies Orange 250/=
• Grafted Washington orange 🍊150/=
• Paw Paw 100/= 
• Tree tomato 80/=
• Grafted Apple 500=
• Guavas ksh 200/=
• kiwi 🥝 350/=
• Dragon fruit 350/= 
• Pomegranate 250/=
• Plums 500/=
• Pears 400/= 
• Blue berry 500/= 
• Cherry Guava 200/-

Strawberry Farming in Kenya

Pixie Fruit Farming in Kenya

Plum Farming in Kenya

Banana Farming in Kenya for Commercial Production

Banana is one of the staple food crops grown in Kenya for both home consumption and for markets. Bananas are widely grown in most parts of Kenya for cooking and dessert. A few Kenyan farmers who know about tissue culture bananas grow the dual-purpose banana varieties that can be used both for dessert and cooking. The popularity of the crop makes it a good cash crop for the Kenyan smallholder farmers, who can sell the produce even at their farm gate. 

Banana farming in Kenya

Nutritional Benefits of Bananas

The ripe fruit of banana is a good source of vitamins A, B6, C and Potassium. Cooked bananas are rich in carbohydrates. Recently processing of bananas has gained momentum here and bananas are being processed into flour, canned slices, jam, jelly, puree, vinegar, wine and beer. Demand for these processed products is expected to go up in the coming years, making the market even larger for banana growers in Kenya.

To do successful commercial banana farming in Kenya, what are the factors that you should consider? 

Optimal Ecological Requirements for Banana Farming in Kenya

Banana grows in the tropics; that is the area between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn. Our entire country Kenya lies squarely in this region and being that banana farming is favored by a wide range of agro-climatic conditions, you can grow them almost anywhere in this country.

The crop grows well in hot and humid conditions of altitude between 0-1800 m above the sea level: that’s all the way from as low as Mombasa to as high as Kisii with the exception of the very cold highlands. With a rainfall range of 1000-2000 mm per year or sufficient water for irrigation, you are good to go.

Banana farming in Kenya

Also read Top 5 high yielding banana varieties in Kenya

Banana farming under irrigation

Optimal temperature of 270 C is preferred for banana growing. However it still does well in temperature range of 20- 300C. Deep well drained soils rich in organic matter are required for the growing of bananas with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. 

Spacing

Spacing is important in banana growing so as to ensure adequate accessibility of the required resources by the plant. The planting whole should be big, measuring about 60 by 60 by 60cm and spaced 3m by 3m.

Establishment

To plant bananas

• Make a hole measuring 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet (although this may vary with the variety)
• Separate the topsoil from the subsoil.
• With the topsoil, put 1 debe of well cured farm yard manure and a handful of planting fertilizers like DAP/TSP fertilizer. This accelerates the growth of pseudo stems.
• Add two matchboxes of Menetode or Nemacur nematicide to stop nematodes.
• Mix the topsoil with manure, nematicide and fertilizers well.
• Fill back the hole with the above mixture then followed by the sub-soil.
• Choose a 30cm tall seedling and plant in the center of the hole.
• Mulch the seedling with dry grass.
• Water every week.

For more insights on Plantain farming visit Plantain Farming in Kenya: A Guide From Planting to Profitable Marketing

Pruning and Stalking

• This helps you to get bigger and higher quality bunches as well as managing sucker growth.

• Dead leaves should be removed at least twice a year.

• After harvesting, the pseudo-stem should be cut off from the plant at ground level.

• Staking of the fruit bearing pseudo-stem should be done to prevent breakage caused by heavy bunches.

• Stake with wood by digging a hole 40-60 cm deep at the base of the stem to install the prop.

• Tie the bunch to the prop near the portion where the fruit stalk emerges from the stem using Y-sticks.

Banana Varieties in Kenya

Banana varieties which are predominantly grown in Kenya include; Uganda green, ngombe, Gradi Shiskame and Mutahato for cooking varieties while dessert varieties include; Apple Banana, Bokoboko, giant Cavendish, Chinese Cavendish, Gros Michel and Muraru. FHIA 17 is a dual purpose variety and is mostly produced through tissue culture. Banana farmers select their preferred varieties based on tastes, eating habits, market demand and environmental conditions.

Banana Propagation

Bananas are propagated vegetatively by use of cutting, suckers and tissue culture. The main method of banana propagation by most smallholder farmers is by division of suckers which arise from the base of the main stem, or from the underground corm. This method of banana propagation is used by most farmers as it is cheap and favorable cultivars of bananas are maintained. Additionally, use of suckers for propagation is easy and does not necessarily require skilled labor. However, there are many disadvantages associated with the use of suckers as a method of propagation. 

The main disadvantages with the use of suckers are that suckers perpetuate the spread of banana diseases and pests, variation in age and size of sucker, hence the crop is not uniform which leads to difficulty in managing the crop and harvesting.

Tissue Culture Banana in Kenya

Tissue culture also referred to as micro-propagation is the science of multiplying clean disease-free planting materials of different crops to have many identical copies of the same variety without altering the taste and other physical attribute of the plant. Tissue culture work is mainly done in the laboratories and then the plants are raised in the nursery beds where farmers can access for planting. 

Advantages associated with the use of Tissue culture 

1. Elimination of the risk of pests and diseases

2. Tissue culture is the most rapid method of propagating bananas and increased yields of the bananas.

3. Use of tissue culture ensures a timely large turnover of clean planting materials within a limited space.

4. Tissue cultured banana plants produce uniform maturity of the fruits which make harvesting process easy and reduce labor cost.

Disadvantages of Tissue Culture

It’s an expensive method of propagation as it involves laboratory experiments.

Reduction in the genetic diversity of the banana due to the fact that all plants are genetically similar.

Tissue culture technique is still new to many smallholder farmers in Kenya as it requires skilled personnel to carry out.

Where to get seedlings

However, you do not have to worry about the expenses of setting up tissue culture labs and the technicalities associated with it. That has been done for you by Richfarm Kenya 0724698357, and all you need to do is order the variety you need and you get ready tissue culture banana seedlings for planting.

From the above foregoing it is worth noting that tissue culture is the best method of banana propagation in Kenya and efforts need to be put on high gear to ensure banana farming in Kenya is enhanced by embracing Tissue Culture as a means of ensuring food security as far as banana production is concerned.

Smallholder farmers who contribute to the largest share of the banana farming in Kenya community need to come up together and collectively pull resources to be able to benefit from the profits associated with tissue culture banana propagation, as it is the most viable method to ensure that maximum profitability.

Common Pests and Diseases

• Weevils: Eat the stems so the trees fall. Dig up and burn infected trees so weevils do not move to other trees.

• Nematodes:  Attack the roots. To stop nematodes, use a Nematicide powder-like Meticode or Nemacur at planting, remove infected stems and do not intercrop bananas with maize, cowpeas or sorghum.

• Black Sigatoka disease: Leaves turn yellow resulting the banana trees to give small bunches. Use resistant varieties and take off infected leaves.

Banana farming in Kenya

Maturity

Bananas are ready for harvesting after about 12-15 months. However, maturity indices may vary widely among varieties. Yield of up to 14 ton per acre per year is possible under good management.

Market 

Some of the possible destinations include schools, hotels and nearby market.

Kindly visit consumers around your and enter into contracts with them.

Tip: Rotate your banana field after 8 years, and for a poorly-managed field, rotate after 5 years.

• Cost per seedling- plantain 500, tissue culture 200. 
• Seedlings per acre- 450 trees
• Spacing- 3m by 3m
• Fruit price- depends with the variety
• Yield- 14 tons per year
• Common pests- weevils and nematodes
• Common diseases- Xanthomonas wilt, fusarium wilt, black Sigatoka. 
• Lifespan- six years approximately depending on variety.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Can one farm bananas for commercial reasons?

What are health benefits associated with banana consumption?

What are the factors to consider for successful banana farming in Kenya?

How do we establish or plant bananas?

What banana varieties are suitable for farming in Kenya?

How do I do banana propagation?

What is Tissue Culture in banana farming in Kenya?

What are the advantages of Tissue Culture in banana farming in Kenya?

Where do I get seedlings for establishment in banana farming in Kenya?

What are the common pests and diseases affecting banana farming in Kenya?

How many banana trees can I plant in an acre?

What is the maturity and yield of banana trees?

What is the market price of bananas in Kenya?

4-Fast Maturing Fruit Seedlings That You Can Farm With a Budget of Less Than Ksh100,000

Generally speaking, fruit trees are slow to mature fruiting-wise, taking anywhere from about three to seven years before they begin to produce. However, not all types have the same growth rate. While searching for fast fruit trees, they recommend looking for "self-fruitful" types. Since these trees don’t have to rely on cross-pollination or pollinators to produce fruit, you don’t need to wait quite as long to enjoy your favorite fruits. Grafted fruit trees typically bear fruit during the first year, though the drawback is they cannot carry fruits as they are not strong enough. If you allow them to carry fruit at a young age, you may end up breaking them, which means you have to fork out for the extra support which could be expensive.

There are quite a number of fast maturing fruit seedling you can cultivate on small scale that will earn you a decent amount of profit as a main hustle or as a side hustle. The assumptions made are that you might be having a small piece of land lying idle somewhere. The alternative is leasing which makes economic sense as you are dealing with fast maturing fruit seedlings. Most farmers lease farmlands yearly, on this occasion make sure you get at least a 3 year assurance for the lease.  

The initial cost of setup might be high but that's a one time cost, once fruiting begins only standard practice apply which is watering, weeding, fertilizer application and spraying programs. We will just look into a few of this crops, you can visit www.richfarmkenya.com website for detailed articles.

1. Strawberries

It is relatively easy to grow strawberries as long you are careful about maintaining the nutrients in the soil. It starts with preparing the soil that should have good drainage and should be rich in organic matter.

Once you have your strawberry plants, you will place them in rows that are 40 cm apart from each other and 30 cm from each plant. Arrange them in way that they develop in an orderly manner and get decent air flow, Water them weekly with a line and don’t forget they love the sunlight so don’t be afraid to leave them there for the day. Monitor the soil nutrients and apply fertilizer accordingly to keep the balance right.

Strawberry farm

The berries are ready to harvest about three months later — just don’t harvest before they have reached bright red. Don squeezes them in order to avoid bruising these delicate fruits. 

A small 1/8th piece of land can yield around 30 to 50 kilograms of strawberries each week, with each kilo selling for about Ksh150 in today’s market. Using 30kgs, that brings your sales to about Ksh72,000 a month, assuming half of that goes into cost of production you will net 36,000 with your side hustle. Considering that common disease are more prominent in cold weather you might consider doing it in a greenhouse or relatively warmer areas. Fruits grown in warmer areas are sweeter. 

When using greenhouses please consider using vertical gardens to maximize on space, they are also convenient to work on while maintaining an upright posture that's good for your health.

Strawberry farming on vertical garden

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 60
• Seedlings per acre -24,000 
• Spacing - 30cm by 40cm
• Fruit price- Ksh 150-200 per kg (farmgate)
• Yield- 200kgs per week
• Common pests- red spider mites
• Diseases- blight, fusarium wilt, bacterial wilt
• Lifespan 2-3 years

Strawberry Farming in Kenya: Why Just A Few Farmers Are Swimming In The Berry Millions

2. Passion fruit

You can achieve success in passion fruit farming in both cool highland and hot lowland areas, as there are specific varieties that thrive in various climates. The most critical factor to assess is your soil condition. Passion fruits flourish in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. These plants prefer warm temperatures, ideally between 20°C and 30°C.
Additionally, you will need support systems like trellises or fences for the vines to grow effectively. As with other rapidly growing crops, consistent watering is crucial. Ensure the soil remains moist but avoid over-saturation. Regularly monitor and enhance soil nutrients and organic matter.








Typically, harvesting starts 6 to 9 months after planting healthy seedlings. The grafted purple variety reaches maturity faster than the sweet yellow variety, which is usually not grafted.
You can profit from passion fruit farming even in a small backyard space due to the high market demand.
With a spacing of 2m by 3m, an acre would accommodate slightly more than 650 plants. Taking the lowest production of 1kg per week from each tree, an acre is able to give 650 kgs every week. We shall also take the lowest farm gate price possible which is Ksh80 for purple passion. That will earn you 52,000 per week for at least 6 months in a year




• Cost per seedling Ksh. 100 (grafted), Ksh60 for non grafted sweet yellow passion
• Seedlings per acre - 650
• Spacing - 2m by 3m
• Fruit price- Ksh 80-150 per kg (farmgate)
• Yield- 1 kg per plant per week
• Lifespan 3 years

Here’s a more detailed article on commercial passion fruit farming: Passion Fruit Farming in Kenya: The Costs and Expected Returns

3. Pawpaws

Pawpaws, commonly known as papayas, are fruits that frequently encounter restricted availability in the marketplace. They are especially popular among infants due to their substantial levels of vitamins A and C, as well as other essential nutrients. The first step in cultivating pawpaws involves selecting a suitable location with well-drained soil and sufficient sunlight. Fortunately, pawpaws are not particularly demanding regarding fertilizers; thus, excessive applications are unnecessary. However, it is crucial to integrate at least one bucket of farmyard or animal manure for each tree during planting.





Pawpaw trees thrive in arid conditions and can withstand significant droughts. To maintain a reliable yield of sweet fruits, it may be beneficial to provide irrigation during dry spells. Additionally, regularly pruning old leaves improves air circulation and promotes healthy fruit development. Harvesting pawpaws typically begins between six to nine months after transplanting and fruits can be gathered before they reach full ripeness, provided they are mature. A mature pawpaw is identifiable by the appearance of a red or yellow-orange stripe on its exterior.



Pawpaw under irrigation



Pawpaw farming is more lucrative in hot and arid regions. It is also possible to cultivate pawpaws effectively in warmer midland areas (for instance, the coffee-growing regions of central Kenya). The demand for fresh pawpaws is increasing in both local and international markets; however, this makes pawpaw farming a dependable source of income. Although some challenges may arise, the potential for profit remains significant because of the rising popularity of the fruit.

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 100
• Seedlings per acre -1,100 
• Spacing - 2m by 2m
• Fruit price- Ksh. 60-80 per kg
• Yield- 800-1200kgs per week per acre
• Common pests- mites
• Lifespan 2-5 yrs depending on variety

Pawpaw farming in Kenya: A Guide From Planting To Selling

4.  Dragon fruit

Dragon fruit farming is an amazing project that marries the wonderful beauty of the fruit and the economic benefits. With its vibrant pink or yellow skin and unique, succulent flesh speckled with tiny black seeds, dragon fruit is a true showstopper. Besides its attractive appearance, it has a myriad of health benefits. It is an absolute superfood that will brighten you up along, facilitate your bowel movements. Dragon fruit is really packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber.

For those who are at the starting point of dragon fruit farming, however, several things should be the main focus. Despite the fact that dragon fruit is well-adapted to subtropical and tropical areas, it can be grown in greenhouses or containers too in cooler regions. Moreover, proper support towers should be constructed to provide the vines with a good grip on their climb to the sky. One post should have a capacity to hold two seedlings and up to 5 vines per seedling.

Noteworthy is the fact that, one of the advantageous features of the dragon fruit farming, is its flexibility. In addition, the small-scale farmers who want to diversify crops and the busy gardener with little space can easily utilize dragon fruit cultivation in diverse environments. From backyard gardens to large-scale plantations, there's a place for dragon fruit in every farming endeavor.

Dragon fruit at the Fruit Attraction at the Feria de Madrid Exhibition 2024

Contrary to an unpopular opinion doing rounds in social media platforms dragon fruit cannot be compared to quail farming. The fruit has started gaining consumers in our local markets long after it has been on the international scene for decades. The fruit originated from southern Mexico and Central America and has seen it's spread to East Asia which are a very health conscious part of the world. Kenya is one of the first countries in Africa to start dragon fruit farming. It is therefore advisable for small scale farmers to form groups to avoid exploitation by brokers who make a killing in the international markets. Check out the prices in the international markets for comparison, you will be shocked.

I am well aware that nobody exported quail eggs or meat to international markets. Every venture should be well researched before putting all your savings into it. We are living in a very digitized era as compared to when quail was infamous, more information is available online for sober decisions to be made. 

Dragon fruit farming with its irresistible quality and potential for profitability is a close vehicle of success that should be explored.

While the initial investment is very costly you should consider doing it in phases. You can enjoy some mouth watering discounts if you get in touch with us to kick you off on this venture.

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 350
• Seedlings per acre -2,000 
• Spacing - 2m by 2m
• Fruit price- Ksh 500-700 Per Kg
• Yield- 20-30 fruits per vine, a plant should have at least 5 vines
• Common pests- the plant is generally disease and pest resistant. 
• Lifespan - 40 yrs plus

3 Reasons Why You Should Invest In Dragon Fruit Farming In Kenya In 2024

For more information, you can always reach us on Whatsapp or call on +254724698357 / +254723213602. Or you can shoot us an email via info@richfarmkenya.com.

Cherry Tomato Farming Venture in Kenya

Cherry tomatoes are small, round tomatoes that typically have a diameter of about 1-2 inches. They come in various colors ranging from red, yellow, orange and green when unripe. They belong to the same family as those other big tomatoes, the only difference is the size, the flavor, maturity period, yield and uses.

Varieties of cherry tomatoes commonly grown in Kenya

Choosing the right variety is crucial for maximizing yield. Some of the most popular cherry tomatoes varieties include:

1. Sun Gold

This is a yellow-orange variety famous for its tangy sweetness. They have high sugar content making them one of the sweetest cherry tomato varieties. They are a perfect choice for snacking, salads and garnishes. Sun gold variety is intermediate, meaning it continues to grow and produce fruits throughout the growing season.

It requires trellising to support its vine-like growth, which can reach up to 2 metres in height. It thrives best in warm, sunny conditions requiring temperatures between 70 degrees Celsius for best results. This variety is relatively resistant to many common tomato diseases such as fusarium wilt and verticillium wilt.

2. Sweet 100

This one is a highly productive variety known for its incredible sweetness and abundant harvest. It is loved by home gardeners and commercial farmers due to its vigorous growth and high fruit yield. The tomatoes are small, round, and typically bright red in color when fully ripe. They grow in long clusters, often with more than 100 tomatoes per cluster, which is where they get their name from. 

The vines in this case need trellising to support their rapid growth and heavy fruit clusters. On the growing conditions, sweet 100 thrives in warm temperatures that require full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day for optimal growth and fruit production. This variety is resistant to Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt and nematodes.

3. Tiny Tim

This variety is loved by home gardeners for its compact size, making it ideal for small spaces like containers and windowsills. Despite its small stature, this variety produces an abundance of sweet, juicy tomatoes, making it a perfect choice for urban gardening and small-scale farming. Tiny Tim tomatoes are small, round, and bright red in color when fully ripe. Tomatoes of this variety have a middle sweet flavor with a slight tang. While not as intensely sweet as other varieties like Sun Gold or Sweet 100, their balanced flavor makes them versatile for a wide range of dishes. 

Despite the small size of Tiny Tim, it is highly productive, often yielding clusters of small tomatoes in a concentrated harvest. It thrives in a wide range of climates but like most tomatoes, it prefers warm weather. It can also be grown indoors year-round with proper lighting and care. Tiny Tim has one of the most unique features, its ability to thrive in containers and small spaces.

Nutritional benefits of Cherry tomatoes

In terms of vitamins, the most abundant is vitamin C. Vitamins B1, B2, B6, niacin and folates are all present in significant amounts. It has antioxidants like lycopene, and other essential nutrients such as Potassium and fiber. Regular consumption has been linked to improved heart health, enhanced skin and reduced risks of certain cancers.

Ideal growing conditions for cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes thrive in warm, sunny climates that require temperatures of between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius for optimal growth. Cherry tomatoes require well-drained loamy soils that are rich in organic matter and that have a pH of between 6.0 and 6.8. Cherry tomatoes need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum yield. In regions with extreme heat, partial shade during the hottest part of the day can protect the plants from stress and sun scald.

Propagation methods

Most farmers start cherry tomatoes indoors or in nurseries and then transplant them after 4-6 weeks. Transplanting ready seedlings improves early crop establishment and can extend the growing season. In warmer climates, cherry tomatoes can be directly seeded into the soil all you have to ensure is the soil temperatures are above 20 degrees Celsius to promote germination.

Planting and Spacing

Cherry tomatoes should be planted at a spacing of 60cm between plants, with rows spaced 90 to 120cm apart. Proper spacing ensures adequate air circulation, reduces disease pressure and allows for better light penetration.

Irrigation Practices

Cherry tomatoes require consistent and deep watering. Drip irrigation is ideal as it delivers water directly to the root zone, reduces water wastage and minimizes the risk of foliar diseases. It is essential to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during fruiting to prevent problems like blossom-end rot and fruit cracking.

Cherry tomato farming in Kenya

Fertilization and Nutrient Management on Cherry Tomatoes

Tomatoes are heavy feeders and require balanced fertilization for optimal growth. It is advisable to carry out a soil test before planting so as to determine nutrient deficiencies and work on amending effectively. Typically, cherry tomatoes benefit from;

Nitrogen

It promotes the vegetative growth in the plants. For inorganic farming, you can apply nitrogen-rich fertilizers during early growth and organic farmers can used organic matter such as poultry manure.

Phosphorus

It encourages root development and flowering. Phosphorus rich fertilizers, compost and green manure can be incorporated at planting.

Potassium

It enhances fruit development and overall plant health. Regular applications of potassium are essential during the fruiting stage.

Staking and Pruning of Cherry Tomatoes 

Cherry tomatoes are indeterminate in nature, meaning they continue growing and producing throughout the growing season. Stacking or using trellises is essential to keep the vines off the ground, prevents disease, and promote larger yields.

Pruning excess foliage also improves airflow, reduces disease risk, and channels towards fruit production.

Cherry tomato farming in Kenya

Common Pest and Diseases

Common pests that affect cherry tomatoes include;

Aphids- They are sap-sucking insects that weaken plants and they can be controlled using neem oil or insecticidal soaps.

Tomato horn worms- These are large caterpillars that feed on leaves and fruits.

White flies- These pests cause yellowing and weakening of plants.

Common diseases

Early blight- It causes dark lesions on leaves and stems. It's best prevented by uses of disease resistant varieties and practice of crop rotation.

Powdery mildew- A fungal disease that affects leaves, reducing photosynthesis. For powdery mildew, use Sulphur-based fungicides or biological controls to manage outbreaks.

Blossom-End Rot- This is a calcium deficiency disorder that causes sunken, dark spots on fruits. Ensure consistent watering and adequate calcium levels in the soil.

Harvest and Post-harvest handling

Cherry tomatoes take 60-80 days to mature after transplanting, depending on the variety. They should be harvested when they reach their full color and size but while they are still firm to touch. During and after harvesting, cherry tomatoes should be handled with care to avoid bruising then they are stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight for best flavor. For longer storage, cherry tomatoes can be refrigerated, though this may slightly affect their taste.

• Seedlings per acre- 20,000
• Spacing- 60cm between plants, 90cm-120cm for rows
• Cherry tomato market price- 180- 200 per kg at retail, 150 per kg at farmgate
• Yield-  five to 10 tonnes
• Common pests- white flies, aphids and tomato horn worms  
• Environmental conditions- Light, tempearture and humidity
• Common diseases- Early blight, blossom-end rot and powdery mildew
• Lifespan- 6-8 months

Frequently asked questions.

What are the varieties of cherry tomatoes are grown in Kenya?

What are the health benefits of cherry tomatoes?

What are suitable conditions for growing of cherry tomatoes?

How do I manage the cherry tomato plants?

What are the common pests and diseases that affect cherry tomatoes?

How does one harvest and handle cherry tomatoes?

Why Pixie Orange Farming In Kenya?

Pixie orange farming in Kenya is one form of agribusiness that has picked up pace faster than any other. The reasons for this are obvious; it is highly profitable, and that is not the only attractive bit about it. Perhaps the fact that pixie oranges can be grown even in arid and semi-arid areas like Machakos, Kitui, Baringo and the coastal regions of Kwale and Kilifi, is what has led to its boom in the country.

The market factors are also in favor of pixie orange farming. Currently the demand for these juicy fruits is so high because of their higher quality and sweetness compared to other varieties of oranges. On the other hand, supply is still very low as most farmers discovered this variety just the other day. That explains why the prices of pixie are still so high even in our local supermarkets. We are yet to satisfy the local market while the export market still yarns for the same product.

Pixie Orange Farming in Kenya

Where can pixie oranges be grown in Kenya?

Pixie grows in a wide range of soil type but performs the best in areas with fertile and well drained soils. Hence, areas with deep sandy loam soils are best. So farmers in Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu should be making millions from pixie orange farming already.

The reason why most of the pixie we consume in Kenya comes from Ukambani is the fact that this variety, just like all the other orange varieties, grows best in warm or hot areas with low to moderate rainfall. Temperatures should range from 10 to 30℃ with 6 to 8 hours of sunshine. Now areas with such climate like Murang’a, Nyeri, Bungoma, Siaya and Migori that were not know to produce any oranges have also taken up the farming of pixie and are doing well.

How to Plant Pixie Orange trees

Pixie orange trees grow fast and their branches spread wide. For this reason, it is best to plant the trees with a spacing of 4x5m. 4m should be the space from one tree to the next while 5m is the spacing between lines. The lines should run in an East-West direction. This allows for the penetration of maximum amount of sunshine especially during flowering and fruiting.

Planting Spacing

The planting holes should be well prepared by digging them 2 by 2 feet wide and having a depth of 2 feet as well. In many areas, the first foot is the top soil while the other half is the bottom soil and is different. We use the top soil in planting. Mix the top soil well with decomposed manure and fill the mixture back into the hole leaving a depth of only about 10 cm. This space is to be used to hold irrigation water and additional manure.

If you are in areas whose soil is clay or black cotton, do not be discouraged. What you need to do during this preparation is include a bit of fine sand to the mixture of soil and manure. This will improve the internal soil drainage and your trees will thrive.

Read more on Pixie Orange Farming: A Worthy Investment for the Year 2024

Maturity period of Pixie oranges

Grafted pixie oranges start fruiting in year two,  giving about 30 to 50 fruits. But full maturity is 3 to 5 years depending on how well they are taken care of. 

Once the fruits are mature and are ready for harvesting, the biggest indicator is the flavorful bright orange color change, and is firm to the touch.

Where to get seedlings

Richfarm Kenya always has ready to plant pixie seedlings. You can buy them from their nurseries in Embu or Naivasha. You can also call them on 0724698357 to make an order and they will deliver the seedlings to your farm.

Pixie Orange Farming in Kenya

Nutritional Benefits of Pixie Oranges

Pixies oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and boost collagen production within the skin.  

Generally, citrus fruits such as pixie oranges, tangerines and lemons are particularly beneficial in case of infection since they supply antioxidant vitamins, together with the flavonoids which strengthens resistance to viruses.

Why Pixie Orange Farming is Booming in Kenya Now

Challenges in Pixie Fruit Farming

Pests and diseases

The pests and diseases that challenge pixie orange farmers in Kenya are not new and are rather easy to prevent and control. The common pests include leaf miners, aphids and thrips while the diseases are sooty mold, collar rot and powdery mildew. The good news is that there is a wide variety of safe products that you can use to deal with these challenges.

Pests and diseases are more serious if the soils are deficient of some minerals. Therefore, it is important to test your soil before planting so you can do the necessary amendments. It is also advisable to repeat the tests after sometime, say about 1 year.

Where do I sell my pixie fruit in Kenya?

Supermarkets and grocery shops currently form the largest market for pixie oranges in Kenya. This is already a huge market that has not had enough of these tasty fruits. A kilo of pixie retails for as high as Ksh. 200 making them look like fruits for the rich. The larger Wakulima Markets are yet to get a good share of pixie oranges. At this point, we cannot even talk about the exporting companies that are constantly hunting for the fruits and offering prices as high as Ksh150 at the farm gate.

How do I start pixie farming in Kenya?

The first step is to call in Richfarm Kenya experts to your farm. They will assess it and give you a comprehensive report on your soil, water and other requirements. They will draw up a plan for you that covers the entire journey from planting, through the taking care of the trees to the marketing of your produce.

The company can do the actual planting for you. They have a complete package in which you only need to pay and they will do the rest for you: soil test, preparation of the planting holes, provision of high quality grafted pixie seedlings, the actual planting, and then give you technical support for a lifetime. 

• Cost per seedling ksh. 250
• Seedlings per acre- 200 trees
• Spacing- 4m by 5m
• Fruit price- 200 per kg at retail, 150 per kg at farmgate
• Yield- 30-50 fruits in 2nd to 3rd year, 250 -300 in the third to fifth years. By the eighth year, bears 500-600 fruits annually. 
• Common pests- leaf miners, aphids and thrips  
• Common diseases- sooty mold, collar rot and powdery mildew, scales
• Lifespan- 20-30 years

Frequently asked questions.

Why pixie orange farming?

Where can pixie oranges grow in Kenya? 

How can one plant pixie oranges?

What is the best spacing when planting pixie oranges?

Where can one get seedlings for pixie oranges?

What are the challenges faced when doing pixie orange farming?

Where do I sell my pixie oranges?

How do I start pixie orange farming?

 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 favorable. 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 best known for their juicy flesh and smooth, often colorful skin, ranging from red and purple to yellow and green. 

Plum farming in Kenya: Harvesting starts 3 years after planting depending on variety 

Nutritional benefits of the plum.

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. Therefore, regular plum consumption is a very appropriate prophylactic for all who are at risk of colon cancer,  whether for genetic reasons or lifestyle reasons.

Popular plum varieties grown in Kenya.

1. Santa Rosa
2. Satsuma
3. Shiro
4. Cherry plum
5. 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 do 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 five meters between your plum trees, and five meters 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 color change then softening of their skin. Plums have a delicate skin and therefore they need to be handled carefully to avoid damaging them.

Harvested plum crop

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 your 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. However, plum farming is a profitable agribusiness that allows you to create a steady and sure income.

• Cost per seedling ksh.350
• Seedlings per acre-160
• Spacing- 5m by 5m
• Fruit price- 100-150 per kg
• Yield- initially 5-10 tones, 15-20 tones after maturity of fruit trees (5th-6th year)
• Common pests-plum curculio, aphids, fruit flies, scale insects
• Common diseases- Bacterial spot, Black knot, Brown rot
• Lifespan- deciduous