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

Dragon fruit farming in Kenya was started by a few daring individuals a few years ago. Typical of the Kenyan style, many potential farmers of the fruit looked from a distance as the pioneers made millions of shillings from the sales of the exotic, high-nutrition fruit. "This is will go the quail farming way..", they would say.

Fast forward to 2024 and the fruit has grown in popularity amongst Kenyan consumers, something that is taking the naysayers by surprise. Awareness of the health benefits of dragon fruits, their likable taste and the curiosity of consumers have driven the demand high and more people into dragon fruit farming. To the great advantage of "mwananchi wa kawaida" who could not access and afford the fruit, the prices have come down and the fruit can be bought from the open market in Naivasha, Richfarm Kenya outlets across the country and a few more supermarkets.

Dragon fruit farming in Kenya

Dragon fruit farming in Kenya has since continued to be a highly rewarding venture for agripreneuers as more people get to know about, and access the fruits. This is one of the strongest reasons that you should consider investing in farming dragon fruits in 2024. However, I will give you three other strong reasons why you should invest in farming this new crop. Let me first give you details of what it is...

Dragon fruit, also called Pitaya, is a fruit that grows on a plant of the cactus family. There are many varieties of the fruit, distinguishable by the colour of the fruit skin and flesh. Some have a red skin while others have a yellow one. The flesh can be red, purple or white. The red and purple fleshed dragon fruits are sweet while the white fleshed ones are a little sour.

Dragon fruit farming in Naivasha, Kenya

So why would it be wise to invest in dragon fruit farming in Kenya this year? Listen well...

1) Dragon fruits are easy to grow

New plants are easily grown from cuttings. All you need to do is obtain cuttings from a mature vine, keep them under a shade to dry off their tips for about a week and then plant them. The cuttings are planted by burying the lower tip (just about 1 inch) into the soil. In about 2 weeks the cuttings start developing roots and new shoots appear in about a month’s time. Better still, you can buy already rooted and sprouting dragon fruit seedlings from Richfarm Kenya. They take 9 months to 1 year to start producing fruits.

Being in the cactus family, dragon fruit plants do not need a lot of water. They are best planted in sandy or loamy soils that are well drained. After planting them, they will need very little attention other than the occasional application of manure and pruning. They are less susceptible to pests and diseases so you won’t have the burden of spraying them regularly.

2) High returns on investment

Pitaya is among the most expensive fruits in Kenya at the moment with a kilo selling for between Ksh800 and Ksh1200. The farmers that are already harvesting in Kenya produce fruits that have between 400g and 1.2kg. The cuttings used in planting cost only Ksh500 each. So essentially, selling just 1 fruit will help you recoup the investment you put in buying planting materials.

Dragon Fruits for sale in Kenya

The dragon fruit plants are vines that have a production period of up to 30 years. So you will need to support them with strong posts that can last as long. Each vine can grow up to 30 feet long and give you 30 to 100 fruits per year upon maturity. Now you can see what that means in terms of returns given the current prices.

The demand for these fruits is very high in Kenya especially among the Asian communities. In fact, anyone who has tasted this fruit likes it. The only limiting factor at the moment is the high price. So if you have a high production capacity, you can reach a very wide market by reducing your prices and still make a kill. Do not forget that the export market in China, the Middle East and Europe is also offering very high prices for dragon fruit. These markets would definitely prefer the high quality fruits grown in our hot tropical climate to the less tasty fruits from sub-tropical regions.

3) They require a only a small space

Dragon fruit vines are planted in groups supported by one post. On each post, you can plant 4 vines. The ideal spacing is 1m from one group to the next and 2m between the rows. With this kind of spacing you can fit 1,000 dragon fruit plants on a plot 50 by 100. This is enough to help you realize a good economic return.

However, for commercial purposes, in which case ease of management of larger-scale farms in a key consideration, we recommend a spacing of 2m between the rows and 2m from plant to plant as well.

Since the vines do not have deep roots, some farmers even plant them on pots in their backyard gardens. This is an ideal way to grow dragon fruits for your own consumption even if you live in a rented house in which you only have a balcony.

Dragon fruit growing in a pot

So how do I start a dragon fruit farm in Kenya?

If you have a plot of land, anything from a 50 by 100 or bigger, you can easily start this kind of commercial farming. Dragon fruits grow well in areas with temperatures of 15℃ and above. They also like full-day sunshine, therefore ensure that you do not plant them under trees.

Have your land cleared and set up the support structures that will hold your plants. These structures are made with strong posts of about 5 feet and an old tyre mounted on each post. Other farmers construct a square wooden structure on the poles. These are the structures over which the vines will hang.

Dragon fruit farming: How to support the plants

Prepare the base area of each post to have fine soils. Mix the soil with manure: chicken manure is the best for growing Pitaya. Plant your seedlings here making sure not to cover too much of the stem to avoid rotting. Use strings to train the vines onto the post. If the weather becomes too hot and dry, water your plants for faster growth. Wait to start harvesting the precious fruit in about a year’s time.

If you would like to get more information on dragon fruit farming in Kenya, call Richfarm Kenya on 0724698357 now.

Make sure you have also read our Dragon Fruit Farming: Step by Step Guide

Grafted Macadamia Seedlings for Sale in Kenya

Our price for grafted macadamia seedlings has been slashed. Every start of the rainy season in Kenya, we ensure that we have high quality grafted macadamia seedlings for sale. We also start off by giving big discounts on prices. This is not only on macadamia seedlings but on all the other fruit and vegetable seedlings that we sell. So make sure that you check out our Products page and get in touch with us on Whatsapp 0724698357 to enjoy the huge discounts.

Macadamia seedlings for sale in Kenya

This season, we have big, well hardened off grafted Murang’a 20 macadamia seedlings for sale. We also have a few seedlings of the Embu 1 and Kiambu 3 varieties. We usually have these other varieties to encourage farmers to plant more than 1 variety on their farms. This helps in improving pollination hence giving the farmers higher yield. You can read more about this in our comprehensive article Macadamia Nuts Farming In Kenya: How to Make It a Highly Profitable Business.

Grafted Murang'a 20 macadamia seedlings for sale

Big Macadamia Seedlings for Sale at Richfarm Kenya

The seedlings we have are over 1 foot tall: see actual photo below.

Big macadamia seedlings for sale

This is the best size to transplant them. They have active shoots which indicate that they are fast growing. Some of these are actually over 1 year since grafting. We regularly change the potting bags into bigger ones to replenish the nutrients. That is why you see all having a lush green and attractive colour. We also apply organic farmyard manure regularly to ensure that the seedlings have a vigorous growth.

Price cut on Macadamia seedlings

The cost of 1 grafted macadamia seedling is Ksh300. However, we are welcoming you into the season by slashing this price for you all the way down to Ksh250. The best part of it is that you do not have to worry about transportation. We deliver the seedlings right to your farm. This comes with another advantage you won’t find anywhere else; the team delivering the seedlings is specialized in planting. So you get free consultation on the best method of planting. We love to see you smiling so we take off from you all the hustle of establishing the farm.

How many macadamia seedlings fit in 1 acre?

The recommended spacing for planting macadamia is 7 by 7 metres. 1 acre will accommodate 80 seedlings. With our discounted price, you will only need Ksh20,000 to fill up an entire acre. With that, you will have made an investment of a lifetime. Every year, you will be making passive income from that farm. When these trees mature, you will be harvesting 100kgs from each every year. The price for macadamia nuts averages at Ksh100. So each tree will be giving you Ksh10,000. So the one acre will give you Ksh800,000 every year with very little input. Macadamia nuts grow on trees so you do not have to be at the farm all the time like is the case for other crops. You only come to harvest. See why Macadamia Is the Cash Crop to Farm in Kenya in 2020 and Beyond.

How to plant our grafted Macadamia seedlings

Dig the holes with a spacing of 7×7m. The hole should be 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep; that is a square of 2×2×2 feet (2 feet is approximately 60cm). While digging the hole, ensure you separate the top from the bottom soil. Mix the top soil with well decomposed farmyard manure then put the mixture back into the hole. Do not mix the soil and manure inside the hole since you will not get an even distribution of the manure. If some areas have excess manure, the roots of your macadamia seedlings will be burned.

Once you have the holes ready, remove the potting bags that came with the seedlings and plant them at the centre. Ensure that rooting soil is not disturbed. It is better to cut out the potting bag with a sharp razor. The rooting soil should be covered completely to ensure that the roots will not be exposed later.

How to order for grafted Macadamia seedlings

All you need to do is call Richfarm Kenya on 0724698357. They work Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm. The good this is that you can engage them on Whatsapp or email on info@richfarmkenya.com even outside the working hours. To get you started, you can read the article Professional Macadamia Farming in Kenya: Full Guide or simply call and ask the questions you might have.

How to Prune and Train Avocado Trees for Maximum Production

Hass avocado farming in Kenya is no doubt profitable. However, this is only so if it is done in the right way; you must employ all the good practices of avocado production. One of the most overlooked practice is pruning.

The reason you must prune your avocado trees is to encourage the trees to produce more branches on the side, hence to ensuring that your orchard remains economically profitable all through. These side branches are the ones that carry more fruits.

Hass avocado farming: Lateral branches carry more fruits

Should young hass avocado trees be pruned?

You do not need to do extensive pruning in young avocado trees. However, if you planted grafted seedlings, any branches that grow below the graft or bud union should be cut off. If you don’t do this, the branches of the rootstock (often an indigenous variety of avocado) will outgrow the grafted part (called the scion) and what you will eventually have is a local variety of avocado that might take 10 years before giving you the first fruit.

Pruning to control the height of the tree

Grafted avocado trees require early training to restrict the tree's height and keep it at the desired height. The top shoots of the tree should be pinched off as early as during the first harvest. This practice should continue until the tree grows into the desired shape. Otherwise, the trees will grow too high and narrow. The trees then fruit only in the upper two-thirds of the branches, reducing the harvest and making it difficult to reach the fruits during harvesting.

Well pruned Hass avocado tree in Kajiado, Kenya

When should you prune your Hass avocado trees?

The best time is just before flowering or after harvesting. This gives the tree time to naturally adjust and decide which branches will carry fruits during the next flowering season. If there is a need, such as to remove a diseased branch, minor pruning can be done at any time. However, you should avoid pruning just before rains since this can stimulate excessive tender growth that is likely to be injured in case of heavy rains.

How to do the actual pruning

Cut off the unwanted branches using a pruning saw. For large farms, there are some specialized power saws that can be used. We use saws to ensure that we achieve an even cut. Avoid using axes or pangas. After pruning, you must ensure that you apply a copper based fungicide on the wound to prevent any opportunistic fungal infection. You must also protect the branches that get exposed after pruning from sunburn and infections by use of water-soluble paint.

While pruning is one of the most important practices for avocado farmers in Kenya, there are a few other things that we must do to get the highest production per tree. We have explained them in detail in this article: Avocado Farming: How to Get the Highest Yield Per Acre in Kenya

For more information about pruning avocado trees, you can always reach us on 0724698357. Also remember to download the complete Hass farming guide from our Farmers Resources Page.

Why Dragon Fruit Is Set To Be The Next Big Thing In Kenya’s Farming Business

Dragon fruits are one of the most expensive fruits on the Kenya shelves today, mainly because dragon fruit farming in Kenya has not been taken up by many. It is a sweet, fleshy and highly nutritious fruit that is eating fresh. Too bad it is still so expensive that most people can't afford it, but we are working so hard to bring the price a little lower to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy the sweetness and health benefits of this great fruit.

Dragon fruits: Highly nutritious but expensive fruit in Kenya

The first time I saw dragon fruits in Kenya, I couldn’t help but remember the cactus fruits we were enjoying while playing in the semi arid fields of Narok. Back then, I couldn’t imagine that miles away, in the Asian countries, dragon fruit farming was a major business. Back home in Kenya, cactus fruits were only considered as wild fruits, most people oblivious of the health benefits that these fruits had: maybe it’s the reason why I seldom have to see the doctor…

Now, dragon fruit farming in Kenya has picked up pace, thanks to the hawk-eyed Kenyan agri-preneurs who never miss an opportunity.

Dragon fruits for sale in Kenya

Price of dragon fruit in Kenya

Currently, dragon fruits sell at Ksh890 per kg at Zucchini supermarket, making it the highest priced fruit in Kenya. Can you even compare that with the price of hass avocado which is at Ksh100 per Kg?

So this begs the question; why is dragon fruit so expensive in Kenya? Of course the law of demand and supply plays the biggest role in determining the price. A huge amount of the dragon fruits consumed in Kenya are imported from Vietnam, the largest producer in the world so far. So take into consideration the transport cost, the fact that the fruit is rare and that the demand is higher than supply and you understand why the fruit sells for close to 1k.

Nutritional benefits of dragon fruits

Dragon fruits are also super nutritious; actually, they are considered as a super-food: those foods that are packed with nutrients.

Let me shed some light on this…

Dragon fruit is rich in essential vitamins and minerals but low in calories. It also contains dietary fiber in generous amounts. If you take a one-cup serving (approximately 230 grams of dragon fruit – typically the average size of one dragon fruit) you will be giving your body:

3 grams of protein
29 grams of carbohydrates
7 grams of dietary fiber
8% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) of Iron
18% of the RDI of Magnesium
9% of the RDI of Vitamin C
4% of the RDI of Vitamin E
136 Calories and zero fats!

Where is dragon fruit farming in Kenya done?

Quite a number of people have called me asking, "Can dragon fruits grow in Kenya?". Well, yes, dragon fruits can grow in Kenya. However, very few Kenyans have taken up dragon fruit farming. Mugambi and Kinoti, from Meru are the pioneers of dragon fruits farming in Kenya. The other major dragon fruit farms are in Naivasha, Makueni and Laikipia.

Dragon fruit farm in Laikipia, Kenya

Dragon fruits would thrive in semi arid areas without much problem. Being of the cactus family, this fruit does not require a lot of water. Its propagation is also very easy since new plants are obtained from cuttings of existing ones. However, obtaining the parent material is what is an impediment to most aspiring farmers.

Taking advantage of the fact that dragon fruit seedlings and not easy to come by in Kenya, the pioneer farmers are charging as high as Ksh2,000 per seedling. This is what has slowed down dragon fruit farming in Kenya. However, Richfarm Kenya is trying to close the gap by offering affordable dragon fruit cuttings at their Embu nursery.

Dragon fruit seedlings for sale in Kenya

Affordable rooted dragon fruit cuttings at Richfarm Kenya

The future of dragon fruit farming in Kenya

At this point, I would say that dragon fruit farming is the most profitable fruit farming venture in Kenya. One stool of 2 plants can give you about 20 fruits each season. On average, each fruit weighs about 500g. That means each stool will give you approximately 10 kgs every year. If you sell at a wholesale price of 500 per kg, you will be earning Ksh5,000 per stool. One acre accommodates 2,000 stools at a spacing of 1m between the stools and 2m between the lines. That translates to Ksh10 milllion per year from one acre.

It is obvious that the price of these fruit will come down as more farmers get into its production. However, that is going to take a while considering that the price of the seedlings is still above what most farmers can afford and the fact that the cuttings take a whole year to get to fruiting stage. Kenyans love quick money and most investors are less likely to wait that long.

Most parts of Kenya are tropical semi arid zones, ideal for dragon fruit farming. The market for these fruits, especially in the Asian countries is very high. Locally, the demand continues to grow as more people become aware of the health benefits of the fruit.

As such, dragon fruit farming in Kenya is set to be the next big thing after hass avocado farming.

We, Richfarm Kenya would love to help you be one of the pioneer farmers of dragon fruits in Kenya. If you would like to be helped in this regard, please get in touch with us on 0724698357.

Affordable Dragon fruit seedlings

We are glad to announce that we have now in stock affordable dragon fruit seedlings at our Embu nursery. Please visit to get yours or call 0723213602 / 0724698357 to order for them.

Dragon fruit seedlings for sale at Richfarm Kenya

Tangerine Farming: How To Grow The Best Tangerine For The Market In Kenya

Tangerine farming in Kenya is a business that has been thought of as a preserve for the farmers in Makueni, Embu and Meru. However, a lot of other farmers are taking it up in different places since they have discovered that it can grow in other parts of Kenya such as Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Narok, Kisumu and Kajiado.

Tangerine farming in Makueni, Kenya

So, are you a tangerine farmer or an inspiring tangerine farmer rummaging through the internet trying to find a way to be the best? Wander no more! You are here! A tangerine (Citrus tangerina) in case you are wondering, is an orange-like fruit which is smaller, easier to peel, juicier and commonly known as ‘thandara’ in the locals. Now that you know, let the lesson begin!

Ecological Requirements

Tangerines have a higher adaptability to high and low temperatures compared to other citrus fruits making them manageable. They require well drained soils with a neutral pH. It is therefore wise to always have a soil test to check the fertility and pH levels of your soil.

Seedling Selection

How do you select the correct seedling? Some farmers will generate the seedlings themselves from selected fruits that they had purchased from the market. A wise farmer will however buy a certified seedling from a reputable nursery. This will help you to ensure you get consistent quality fruits. Normally, a tree will take 3-4 years to start bearing fruits if planted from the seeds. On the other side, quality grafted seedlings would mature faster and start giving you fruits in the second year. You can get such high quality seedlings from Richfarm Kenya – 0724698357.

Tangerine farming in Kenya

Nutritional Requirements

By now, I’m assuming that you have done the soil test and you have your results ready. This will be your Nutritional guide on what fertilizer to use. However, roughly just to mention, 1 week before planting, you will be required to mix your soil with well dried manure in a ratio of 1:2 to ensure the nutrients are well leached in the soil. Manure also helps in water retention due to the organic matter. The tangerine tree requires the following nutrients in order to achieve the best fruits over the period. Please note that the rates of application will greatly be based on the soil test results.

✔ Phosphorous: Aids in root development in the early stages. It also helps the tree to mature at the right time while inducing flower and fruit development. One other beautiful thing about having the correct amount of phosphorous in your tree is its ability to offer the plant disease resistance. Lack of this nutrient showcases in form of purple lines on the leaf veins.

✔ Nitrogen: If you want your tangerine trees to have the nice lush and form a nice green canopy, this is something to look out for. Nitrogen aids in foliar establishment, chlorophyll formation and development of amino acids. Though might I just mention that generally, tangerines are known to have low levels of amino acids? Lack of this nutrient emerges as a yellow or very light green color on the top of the leaves.

✔ Potassium: Do you want your tangerines to be the juiciest, sweetest and have everyone coming back for more? Potassium is your answer. It is a nutrient that activates enzymes responsible for ripening of fruits and synthesis of protein and starch hence giving them that sweet taste. It is done applied both in the ground as a filed grade fertilizer and as a foliar fertilizer. This former should be sprayed weekly or fortnightly on the onset of flowers. Lack of this nutrient showcases with bitter, uneven ripening and dry fruits.

✔ Boron: As a tangerine farmer, you may experience your flowers and fruits aborting while still immature and this may take back your production. The problem is caused by deficiency of Boron. It is therefore wise to have a foliar fertilizer that contains this element and the good thing is that unlike other foliar fertilizers, this one in particular should only be sprayed utmost, twice in a cycle.

✔ Magnesium: Sometimes you may have noticed your tangerine tree leaves developing yellow patches on the midribs starting from the base, enlarging outwards, leaving the tip and the underside green. The condition may spread and turn the whole leaf yellow leading to defoliation. This is a sign of lack of magnesium. Magnesium is the key element of the chlorophyll molecule and therefore very important.

✔ Calcium: As you are doing your crop walk, you may notice some tangerines with a black spot under the fruit. This is a condition known as Blossom end Rot caused by lack of calcium. Calcium is required to ensure your fruit’s cell walls are correctly held together. This can be applied again as a field grade, in the soil, or as a foliar fertilizer. A good advantage is that most calcium based foliar fertilizers are combination of Calcium, Magnesium and Boron hence lowering your input cost.

Irrigation:

Water is not a nutrient but it is directly related to the nutrients above. What if you have already put all the above fertilizers in the soil but you realize you have cases of Blossom End Rot, Fruit and flower abortion, cracking of fruits, bitter fruits or yellowing of leaves. This is a clear indication that your tangerine trees are not getting enough water to correctly transport the much needed nutrients. Therefore, you should have consistent watering to allow moisture to get an inch or two below the soil.

A water test done is also highly advisable. This is because the water may have high levels of sodium or magnesium which is another element that inhibits uptake of some of the important nutrients by the plant roots.

Field Operations

Visit the successful tangerine farmers in Kenya and you will notice that their farms are well arranged in rows and all the trees are well spaced. This is because they understand that a crowded tangerine farm will always have a challenge of pests and diseases. With that in mind, kindly ensure that the trees have a good spacing of at least 4-5 m. This allows correct air circulation hence reducing humidity for growth of pests and emergence of diseases. It also provides enough spacing to do your spraying.

There are many synthetic products that can be used in tangerine farming in Kenya to help with management of common pests such as leaf miners, mealybugs and whiteflies. If you face challenges with such, kindly consult your agrovet or agronomist to advice you on the best product for the kind of problem you have. Organic farmers prefer to use insect traps.

Tangerine trees, like other citrus trees can develop dry wood naturally in the inner areas. As a result, selective pruning should be done to prevent twig dieback.

Banana Farming in Kenya: The Best Practices 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, Kwale

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.

So if you want to do successful commercial banana farming in Kenya, what are the factors that you should consider? We shall discuss all these factors in this article and if we miss out something, kindly ask in the comments section below.

Also Read: Plantain Farming In Kenya: A Guide From Planting To Profitable Marketing

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/year or sufficient water for irrigation, you are good to go.

Banana farming in Kwale under drip irrigation

Optimal temperature of 27⁰C 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 pHof between 6.0 and 7.5. 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*60*60 cm and spaced 3x3m.

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 ones are:

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 include:

Elimination of the risk of pests and diseases
Tissue culture is the most rapid method of propagating bananas and increased yields of the bananas.
Use of TC ensures a timely large turnover of clean planting materials within a limited space.
Tissue cultured banana plants produce uniform maturity of the fruits which make harvesting process easy and reduce labor cost.

Some of the disadvantages of TC include:

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

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 and all you need to do is order the variety you need and you get ready tissue culture banana seedlings for planting.

Tissue culture banana seedlings for sale

From the above foregoing it is worth noting that TC 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 TC banana propagation, as it is the most viable method to ensure that maximum profitability is attained.

Grapes Farming: How to Make Money With Grapes Farming in Kenya

Grapes Farming in Kenya is an Untapped Multibillion Sector

I was visiting Tanzania when I realized just how big the grapes farming and processing sector there is. I honestly lamented at the thought of what a huge potential we are sitting on as Kenyan farmers. While commercial grapes farming in Kenya is practiced only by a few investors, these sweet berrylike fruits are among the most produced fruits in other parts of the world. There are actually very many farmers who grow grapevines in their backyards as ornamental plants. Most of the grapes consumed in Kenya are imported from Tanzania and Ethiopia among other nations. However, farmers are noting the gap in the market and have started taking advantage of the low supply to make quite good profits.

Grapes growing in Kenya

Grapes grow on woody perennial vines that can live for over 50 years. The grapes are of different varieties that include; Muscatine grapes, French grapes, and American grapes. The most widespread type is the French grapes that are of European origin.

Grapes farming in Kenya has existed for over 20 years but it seems like the information and planting materials were kept out of reach of the general public. Luckily, with internet making the world a global village, we have been able to source planting materials and get all the information we need to grow them.

Please Also Read This:

You Too Can Grow Grapes In Kenya and Make a Good Profit

Where to grow grapes in Kenya

Grapes are not very sensitive to climate and they grow in a cool climate just as well as they do in hot climate. However, in hot places, the short rains must be supplemented with sufficient irrigation. The topography should be slightly sloppy to avoid water logging and the destruction of roots. The growing conditions vary at times due to the variety you choose to plant. However, most types can thrive well in humid areas at an altitude of less than 1000 meters above sea level.

Also read:

How Meru Farmers Are Making Crazy Money

Tips to produce the best grapes in Kenya

1. How to get grapes seedlings

Vegetative propagation is the best choice for reproducing grapes. The seed propagation does not give rise to vines with the mother plant's actual characteristics, and it is also time-consuming since you will need to wait for over three years to obtain fruits from such vines. Therefore you must go for the vegetatively propagated grapes. You can get these from all Richfarm Kenya nurseries. You can call the Naivasha nursery on 0723213602 or the Embu one on 0724698357. These vines will have the desired mother plant characteristics and will give fruits within a short duration of about 1 year.

2. Choice of location for planting your grapevines

Grape vines do not do well in waterlogged areas. You must ensure that the plot on which you plant them is well drained. Drainage can also be improved by constructing drainage channels to direct excess rain water away from the rooting area of your vines.

3. Vineyard sunlight requirement

Grapes thrive and produce well under full sunlight. Since Kenya is placed in the equatorial region, grape farming in Kenya is a success due to sufficient year-round sunlight in most parts of the country. However, it would help establish your vineyard where the plants can receive ample sunlight, majorly in the morning hours. The rows should also be planted running from East to West to ensure that plants do not fall under the shade of neighboring rows.

4. Air circulation

Good airflow is recommended in your vineyard as this helps in preventing fungus infestation. Therefore you should locate your vineyard in an open place away from buildings, trees, and bush that can act as an obstacle for air circulation into your vineyard. You should also ensure that you maintain the recommended plant population of 650 plants per acre with the rows separated by at least 2m and plants having 3m between them.

5. How to prune grapevines

Even though it is the most demanding task in vineyards, you need to prune up to 90% of the last season's wood (that is the branches that bore fruits the previous season). This allows new ones that have greater vigour to grow and carry healthier and larger bunches. This is where the secret for the best grapes production lies. Remember that the best quality fruits are reproduced from correctly pruned grapes, whereas poor quality fruits are from light pruning. Please note that grapevines usually produce fruits from the current seasons' growth and not the previous ones.

You can watch a video we made on YouTube to guide you on how to do pruning. Click here to watch.

To improve on the size of the fruits without necessarily compromising the quality, you need to do away with all the third bunches when they begin to form. It allows all the energy to be directed towards the development of the fruit and thus bigger grapes.

6. Mulching

It would be best if you mulch around the vines. It helps in retaining moisture and also in suppressing the weeds around the vines.

7. Best soils for growing grapes in Kenya

Volcanic, well-drained, and aerated soils are suitable for grapes production. Fertilization in the first year of production is not essential if you have healthy soil, not unless you have soil problems. Majorly fertilizer is applied in the second year of production but lightly. Make sure to do soil testing every year to find our which minerals need to be replenished.

8. Harvesting

At times grapes can take longer to ripen. In this case, you will need to pinch back some foliage to allow penetration of sufficient sunlight. Remember not to pick unripe grapefruits since they do not continue ripening after picking. Grapevines start fruiting after the first year but will take three years after establishment to full maturity.

A bunch of grapes is considered ready to harvest when it is juicy, rich in color, fully flavored, plump and easy to crush. At the time of harvest, the fruits should still be tightly attached to the stems.

9. Protection from Birds

Be ready to erect mesh nets to prevent the birds. Birds are capable of feeding on budding fruits and entirely destroying your crop.

Grape farming in Kenya has been majorly done in places like Naivasha, Kibwezi, Mombasa, and Mandera. So far, they have done well due to the moderate rainfall and ecological setup. Pest and diseases are not a significant issue in grapes.

Also Read:

Yes, Grapes Can Grow In Kenya And Fetch You Over Ksh.400 Per Kg

Growing grapes is not even as challenging as it is to grow some fruit trees in Kenya. You can start by getting a few seedlings from Richfarm Kenya. You can always call them on 0724698357 whenever you need more information on grapes farming.

Grapes seedlings for sale at Richfarm Kenya