Plum farming in Kenya is, and has not been
widespread as other fruit farming ventures like mango or avocado farming which are some of the most profitable in fruit 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.
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| Plum farming in Kenya: Harvesting starts 3 years after planting depending on variety |
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.
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 water logging 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- They 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.
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| Harvested plum crop |
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.
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 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
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