Spinach Farming: How To Make Ksh500,000 From An Acre Of Spinach In 3 Months

Spinach is a popular leafy vegetable and it’s farming is practiced in many parts of Kenya. Farmers produce it as an important cash crop since it is highly marketable. Spinach also takes a very short time of about 6 to 8 weeks to mature, hence giving the investor quick returns. This beautiful green vegetable is loved for its high nutritional value.

Spinach farming in Kenya

Nutritional Value of Spinach

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. Spinach also contains high amounts of vitamin A, which is important for maintaining healthy vision and immune function. Additionally, spinach is a good source of vitamin C, which is important for collagen synthesis and antioxidant activity. 

Spinach also contains significant amounts of folate, which is important for cell growth and development, and iron, which is important for blood health. Spinach also contains smaller amounts of several other vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It is a low calorie leafy green vegetable that can be consumed raw, steamed, sautéed and it is considered as a superfood.

How to make money with spinach farming in Kenya

To successfully grow spinach in Kenya, it is important to understand the ecological requirements, land preparation, seedling transplanting and spacing, fertilizer application, common pests and their control, common diseases and their control, harvesting and packaging and marketing.

Ecological requirements

Spinach grows best in cool temperatures, with a range of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. They require a lot of water to grow well hence performing best in high rainfall areas or under irrigation.

Spinach farming in Kenya under irrigation

Spinach can be grown in a wide range of soils, but well-drained, fertile soils are ideal. Spinach prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8. It is a frost-sensitive crop and therefore should be planted during the warmer months of the year.

 

Land preparation

Before planting your spinach, the land should be ploughed and harrowed to a fine tilth. This will help to remove any large clumps of soil and remove any weeds that may compete with your crop for soil nutrients. The soil should be well-drained and have a good supply of organic matter. If the soils are more of clay than loam, you can still plant spinach but make sure you do this on raised beds.

 

Seedling transplanting and spacing

Spinach seedlings should be transplanted when they are around four weeks old. To achieve the best results, you should ensure that you plant well raised, disease-free seedlings. You can get ready to plant spinach seedlings from Richfarm Kenya Nurseries by visiting them or ordering through 0724698357 or 0723213602.

When transplanting spinach, the seedlings should be spaced at a distance of 30 x 30 cm in the row. With this spacing, one acre will accommodate 32,000 plants of spinach. This will allow the plants to develop properly and produce a good yield.

 

Fertilizer application

Spinach requires a moderate amount of fertilizer application to grow well. A general fertilizer application of NPK 20-20-20 at the rate of 50 kg/acre is recommended. The fertilizer should be applied at planting time and then again when the plants are about 20 cm tall. However, it is always important to start with a soil test to establish if there are nutrients significantly lacking in your soil so you can add more of that.

 

Common pests and their control

Common pests that affect spinach include aphids, flea beetles, cutworms and leaf miners. These pests can be controlled by using insecticides or by using cultural methods such as crop rotation and proper sanitation.

Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of spinach leaves. They can cause distorted growth and discoloration of leaves. To control aphids organically, farmers can use insecticidal soap, neem oil or horticultural oil. They can also use beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings and parasitic wasps to control aphid population. There are a number of chemical solutions that you can also use to control aphids in spinach farming if you choose to go this way. We would recommend Kingcode Elite or Loyalty from Green Life chemicals.

Flea beetles

Flea beetles are small, black or brown beetles that feed on the leaves of spinach, leaving small, round holes. They can cause severe damage to young plants. To control flea beetles, farmers can use paper mulch to prevent them from reaching the plants, and they can also use insecticides like pyrethrin or carbaryl.

Cutworms

Cutworms are the larval stage of certain moths, they are often found in the soil and feed on the stems of spinach plants, cutting them off at ground level. To control cutworms, farmers can use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) a biological insecticide, or they can use traps to catch the adult moths. Rotating crops and removing debris from the field can also help reduce the population of cutworms.

Leaf miners

Leaf miners are the larvae of certain types of flies, moths, and beetles that feed on the leaves of spinach, creating winding, white or brown trails within the leaf tissue. They can cause significant damage to spinach leaves, and heavy infestations can cause wilting and death of the affected plants.

There are several methods that can be used to control leaf miners in spinach. One method is using paper mulch, which prevent the adult insects from laying eggs on the spinach leaves. Another method is using sticky traps, which trap adult insects before they can lay eggs. Removing infested leaves and destroying them, cleaning up debris and rotating spinach with other crops also helps in controlling leaf miners.

If you decide using insecticides that specifically target leaf miners, then consider neonicotinoids, spinosyns, and avermectins. These insecticides can be applied as a foliar spray, a soil drench or as a seed treatment.

It is important to note that when using pesticides, farmers should always follow the instructions on the label and use the minimum amount necessary to control the pest. Integrated pest management (IPM) approach that combines multiple methods can be effective in controlling pests without harming the environment.

Common diseases and their control

Common diseases that affect spinach include powdery mildew, downy mildew and white rust. These diseases can be controlled by using fungicides or by using cultural methods such as crop rotation and proper sanitation.

 

Harvesting and packaging Spinach

Spinach takes just 4 weeks from seedling transplanting to maturity. They should be harvested when the leaves are fully grown and attain a dark green colour. One plant will give you several pickings in its lifetime. After picking the mature leaves, give the plant 5 to 7 days and you will have another lot ready for harvesting.

The leaves should be picked by hand and packed into crates or bags for transportation to the market. The leaves should not be stacked too high as this will damage the lower leaves. It is important to harvest spinach early in the day when the leaves are still crisp and before the sun gets too hot.

 

Marketing spinach in Kenya

Spinach market in Kenya is so wide that you cannot exhaust it. However, you will need to put some effort in marketing in order to get the maximum profit from your spinach farming projects. To fetch the best prices I suggest using the following 3 strategies:

1. Leveraging Social Media: Using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to let people know that you are producing high quality spinach will attract you buyers you never imagined. You can go a notch higher and create a campaign using influencers, chefs, nutritionists and dietitians to demonstrate the versatility of your spinach; even suggest how it can be prepared in different dishes. This will greatly increase consumer interest and demand for the product.
2. Partnering with supermarkets and restaurants: Partnering with supermarkets and restaurants in Kenya is a great way to directly sell your spinach to the end consumer. However, to do this, you must have high quality products and most importantly, a consistent production.
3. Leveraging referrals and word of mouth: if you produce enough high quality spinach, you can ask your buyers to pass inform other interested buyers in the local markets. The word can spread fast if they love your product and you will get buyers flocking to your farm gate every day. 

How profitable Spinach farming in Kenya is

Spinach farming in Kenya is a highly profitable venture for farmers. The demand for spinach is increasing fast because of the growing population and an increasing awareness of the nutritional benefits of consuming leafy greens. Additionally, spinach is a relatively easy crop to grow and can be grown in a variety of conditions, making it accessible to farmers with different levels of experience and resources.

The profitability of spinach farming in Kenya can vary depending on factors such as the cost of inputs, the yield per acre, and the price of the crop at market.

As a rough estimate, it can cost around Ksh100,000 – 150,000 to farm one acre of spinach in Kenya: this includes the cost of seedlings, fertilizer, labour, pest and disease management. This cost can vary depending on the location, the type of spinach variety and the farming methods used.

In terms of expected returns, spinach is considered a high-value crop, and farmers can potentially earn a significant profit from farming one acre of spinach. Spinach is in high demand in Kenya, particularly in urban areas. However, the price of spinach can vary depending on the season and market conditions. A farmer can expect to earn around Ksh300,000 to Ksh500,000 from one acre of spinach.

This is an estimate and the actual returns may vary based on the factors mentioned earlier, such as the cost of inputs and the price of the crop at market. It's also important to note that farming spinach is a business and farmers should do proper market research, have a well-laid plan and have a good understanding of their costs and potential returns before committing to farming an acre of spinach. 

Watermelon Farming In Kenya: A Farmer's Guide For High Yields

Watermelon farming in Kenya is one of those short-term farming projects that one can invest in for a quick return. You only have to wait for less about 3 months and your investment starts paying off. And the good thing is that the market for watermelons is ever ready.

Watermelon is so much loved by Kenyans and you will find nice beautiful chops of the fruits on people's tables be it for breakfast, lunch or even supper. In fact, there is no wedding, birthday party, baby shower, ruracio or any other celebration that is complete without watermelons. All this demand makes the watermelon market not only available but also highly rewarding.

But can anyone farm watermelon and make a profit? Let me take you through the requirements for a successful watermelon farming venture in Kenya. 

Best places for growing watermelon in Kenya

Kenya has a favorable climate for growing watermelons, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and an annual rainfall of between 600mm and 1,200mm. These conditions are ideal for the growth of watermelon, which requires a lot of sunlight and water.

Watermelon farming in Kenya

As such, the areas in Kenya that experience hot climate such as Baringo, Narok, Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni are the leading producers of watermelon. 

Best soil conditions for watermelon farming

Watermelon requires well-draining, sandy loam soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Adequate soil moisture is also important, as the plant requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season to produce high-quality fruit. Additionally, it's a good idea to add a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to the soil prior to planting to ensure that the plants have the necessary nutrients to grow and produce fruit. Ample sun exposure is also crucial for watermelon growth, as the plants need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce sweet and juicy fruit.

Watermelon farming in Kenya is done mainly by small-scale farmers, who grow the crop on small plots of land. The crop is planted in raised beds to ensure good drainage and to prevent waterlogging. Watermelons are often grown together with other crops, such as maize and beans, which helps to optimize the use of land and increase yields.

Watermelon intercropped with other fruits and vegetables in Embu

How to plant watermelon

Watermelon is a warm-weather crop that is best planted during the warm weather periods. To plant watermelon, prepare a sunny location in your farm with well-drained soil. Rows should be spaced 3 to 6 feet apart, with individual plants spaced 3 to 4 feet apart within the rows.

1. Dig holes for the plants that are about twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball.
2. Add a few inches of compost or well-rotted manure to the bottom of each hole.
3. Place a seedling in each hole and backfill the soil, tamping it down gently around the roots. You can get ready-to-plant seedlings from Richfarm Kenya nurseries in Embu and Naivasha.
4. Water the seedlings thoroughly to help them settle into the soil.
5. As the plants grow, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watermelons require about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental irrigation.
6. (Optional) Provide support for the plants as they grow, such as using a trellis or staking them to prevent the fruit from dragging on the ground.

How to increase watermelon yield

To improve yields, farmers in Kenya use a variety of techniques, such as crop rotation, proper soil management, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides. Irrigation is also commonly used, especially in areas where rainfall is inadequate.

Watermelon market

Kenya's watermelon production has increased in recent years due to increased demand for the fruit both domestically and internationally. The country exports watermelons to several countries in the region, including Uganda and Tanzania. Additionally, the country's supermarkets and street vendors also sell large quantities of watermelons, especially during the hotter months when the fruit is in high demand.

Profitability of watermelon farming in Kenya

Watermelon farming in Kenya has the potential to be a profitable venture for farmers. The cost of production for watermelon farming in Kenya is relatively low, as the majority of the inputs needed, such as seeds, labor, and land, are readily available. The cost of seeds is around Ksh11,000 for half a kg which is enough to plant 1 acre.

Watermelon farming requires adequate irrigation, which can be costly to install, but it can also increase yields and improve the overall quality of the fruits. The cost of labour can vary depending on the size of the farm and the methods used to cultivate the watermelons. The average cost of labour in most parts of Kenya is around Ksh500 per day.

In terms of returns, watermelon farming in Kenya can yield high returns. The average yield per acre is around 15,000 - 20,000 kg and the average price for a watermelon is around Ksh30/kg. With proper management and optimal weather conditions, a farmer can expect to earn a gross income of around Ksh450,000 to Ksh6,000 per acre.

It's important to note that this can change according to the local markets, climates, pests and management practices. Also the prices of watermelon in Kenya can be fluctuate with the season. It's also important to conduct thorough research and due diligence when considering watermelon farming in Kenya.

Challenges facing watermelon farming in Kenya

However, watermelon farming in Kenya is also faced with some challenges. Diseases, pests, and weather-related issues can lead to significant losses for farmers. Additionally, small-scale farmers often lack access to modern farming techniques, which can limit their yields. 

Therefore, efforts are being made by various organization and government agency to support farmers to improve their yield by providing training and resources such as improved seed variety, appropriate farming techniques, and mechanization of farming activities. Richfarm Kenya is one of the organizations helping small scale farmers by doing training and providing extension services. You can reach them through 0724698357/0723213602

Overall, watermelon farming in Kenya plays a crucial role in providing food and income for many small-scale farmers, and efforts are ongoing to improve yields and ensure a sustainable and profitable industry.

Mango Farming In Kenya: How To Grow The Best Mangoes For Export

State of mango farming in Kenya

Mango is one of the most loved fruits in Kenya. Due to its popularity, it feels very much like a local fruit that has been here since the beginning of time but it will surprise you to know that it is an exotic fruit just like apples.  Mangoes originally came from South Asia.

Mango farming: Mangoes originated from Asia

In Kenya, mangoes are mostly farmed in the Eastern and Coastal regions. The fruits are mostly consumed fresh. However, processing of mango juice is also becoming a major business led by Makueni county which has a big processing factory that buys fruits from local farmers.

Mango farming in Embu, Kenya

Mango tree special characteristics

Mango trees have a deep tap root and wide spread lateral roots. This is a special feature that makes it possible for the trees to grow and give high yield even in semi-arid regions.

Mango trees produce beautiful pink leaves that turn into deep red colour and finally green when mature. The leaves remail ever green.

The trees can grow wide and tall, reaching over 10 metres wide and 25 metres high. However, grafting has made it possible to have short trees that mature early and start giving fruits in the second year. 

Grafted mango trees: Dwarf and fast maturing

Best areas for mango farming in Kenya

Mangoes grow well in the hot lowlands of the coastal strip (Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu) and the upper midlands such as lower Murang’a, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru and the entire Ukambani region of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni. The lower parts of Baringo, Narok and Kajiado are also ideal for mango farming and some farmers in these regions have already been very successful in it. 

Mango farming in Kisaju Kajiado, Kenya

In order to grow well and produce high yields, mangoes need the following climatic and soil conditions:

Temperature

Mango farming is best done in areas that experience average temperatures of between 15 and 30 ˚C. In cooler highlands, the trees grow but do not produce as much as trees in hot area. The fruits produced in cooler areas also have low sugar content. 

Rainfall

The best mango yields are achieved in areas with annual rainfall ranging from 800 to 1000 mm. However, due it their rooting system, mango trees can tolerate drought conditions when they fully develop. 

When grown under the rain-fed system, mango trees will generally have 2 seasons that follow the rain patterns. However, it is possible to achieve continuous mango fruiting under irrigation.   

Soil

Fertile, well drained sandy loam soils of pH 5.5 to 7.5 (slightly acidic) and at least 3 metres depth are the best for mango farming. However, the trees are hardy and adopt to many different types of soils.

The best mango varieties in Kenya

The best mango varieties to farm in Kenya are Apple mango, Tommy Atkins, Kent and Ngowe.

Apple mango

This is the most loved mango variety not only in Kenya but also across the world. It is so loved because of its deep flavour and sweetness. 

Apple mango variety has medium to large sized fruits with a smooth, rich yellow or orange skin when ripe. It is round in shape, has a small seed and very sweet flesh with no fibres. It also has good keeping quality and this is why it has become an important mango variety for export. 

Apple Mango: The best variety in the world

Apple mangoes are widely grown in Ukambani areas especially Machakos and Makueni. However, it can grow very well in any part of the country where the climate and soil is suitable for mango farming as explained above.

This is the variety you will find selling in the best supermarkets in Kenya. There are also traders who sell apple mangoes along Mombasa road when they are in season. It is also very suitable for processing and accounts for the largest part of the mangoes that are processed into juice by Delmonte and the Makueni County government processing plant. 

Tommy Atkins

The Tommy Atkins mango variety has medium to large sized fruits, mostly of an oval shape. The fruits have a smooth skin that is green in colour and having an attractive deep red blush. The dominant green colour may change to yellow or orange when the fruit ripens. The flesh is firm, deep yellow in colour when ripe, has some fibres and is mildly sweet.

Tommy Atkins Mango Variety

Tommy Atkins has two outstanding characteristics that make it a very important commercial mango variety: 1, it has a very long shelf life and 2, it is very tolerant to handling and transportation. This meaning it can go through the entire packaging and transportation process and reach the export destination looking attractive and without ugly bruises or other physical damages.

Farmers in Kenya love the Tommy Atkins variety for its high resistance to common fungal diseases that attack other mango varieties. It is also very productive, giving the highest yield among all mango varieties grown in Kenya. Farmers who grow it under irrigation are also able to produce throughout the year with peak seasons coming in December to January. 

Kent

The Kent mango is a variety of mango that is known for its sweet and rich flavour, as well as its firm and fibrous texture. It is a large mango, typically weighing between 0.5 and 0.9 kgs. 

The skin of a Kent mango is dark green when unripe and turns yellow when ripe. The flesh is a deep orange colour and is very juicy. The seed in the centre of the fruit is relatively small compared to the size of the fruit. 

The Kent mango is a relatively late-season variety, typically ripening over a month after other varieties. It is considered to be one of the best-tasting varieties of mango and is commonly used for eating fresh or for making juice, jams, and other preserves. It is also a good choice for canning and freezing. 

Ngowe

The Ngowe mango variety is a type of mango that is grown primarily in East and Central Kenya. It is known for its large size and round shape, and it has a yellow-orange colour when ripe. 

The flesh of the Ngowe mango is also sweet and juicy, and it has a small seed in the center. It is typically harvested between June and August. The tree is a large and vigorous grower, and it can bear fruit in 3-5 years. The fruit is known for its good taste, and it is used in various forms, such as fresh, dried, and canned.

Nutritional value of Mangoes

Mangoes are an important source of vitamin A, B6 and C. They also contain other important minerals especially iron, calcium and potassium. They are an important source of dietary fibre and enzymes that help in digestion. 

 

3 Factors Of Success In Agribusiness That No One Tells You About

New investors in agribusiness (I don’t really like calling them farmers) consider many important factors such climate, the soil type, crop variety, best seeds and the market before pumping in money to their projects.

Unfortunately, they forget to think about a few, most important factors that determine the success or failure of these projects. You must consider the following before you put in your money in any farming project:

 

1. Scale – the size of your project

We love avoiding this topic but let’s face the facts: too small farming projects can never be profitable.

You need a big enough farming venture to put you in a position from which you can negotiate for discounts on farm inputs, invest your time, mind and energy in a worthwhile manner and to be able to attract serious and well-paying buyers.

 

Large-scale pawpaw farming in Embu, Kenya

I do not despise small-scale farmers but being one should only be a starting point. You won’t make much as a small-scale farmer (you will probably make losses) but the lessons you pick at this stage should be written with indelible ink on the pages of your mind dedicated to that project. Then use these lessons to scale up. 

Small or big in reference to farming projects is relative. For example ½ an acre of strawberry is big while 1 acre of wheat farming is really small. So if you have access to only a small piece of land, then you have no choice but to go for high value crops such as mushroom strawberry, dragon fruits, greenhouse tomatoes and coloured capsicum.

You can also use innovative farming techniques such as multistorey gardens and vertical gardening to increase your farming space.

 

Multistorey gardens installation by Richfarm Kenya

A common mistake farmers make with scale is to have small portions of many different things, thinking that diversity will shield them against market uncertainties. Doing that is the same as digging your own grave.

You would better have 1 big project of a specific kind than many different small projects.

 

2. Irrigation – Consistent supply of suitable irrigation water

The first crops that ever grew on earth (if the story of creation is true) were grown under irrigation, by God Himself. Now if God didn’t wait for the rains to grow the crops, why should you?

 

Irrigation farming in Kajiado, Kenya

Rivers, dams, wells and boreholes are here for us to use for irrigating our crops. The rains are for refilling these resources… although it’s alright to take advantage of the rains and grow our crops through one of their stages… but irrigation we must do.

 

3. Science, facts and figures

It is so sad that the only group of business people who run their businesses totally blindly are the ones we rely on to feed our hungry world – farmers.

They do not know the status of their soils in terms of nutrient content and pH, never keep a single record and take very few lessons from past experiences.

I wonder how you expect to be successful if you are buying fertiliser for your land without testing your soils.

How do you go smiling to the bank to collect that 1 million you think is your handsome pay while you have no records to check if the investment costed more?

How do you rush to the agrovet to buy chemicals for spraying without a prescription from an agronomist?

 

Crop examination by Richfarm Kenya Agronomists

By the way, every farm has its unique characteristics and challenges. Taking time to study them will give you invaluable data that you can use to bring your agribusiness to success.

You can always call us, Richfarm Kenya 0724698357 / 0723213602 to help you in pre-planning your farming project and ensure that it is successful.

How To Grow Sweet Fruits And Keep Your Customers Coming Back For More

As fruit farmers, we know that growing clean and colourful fruits is key to selling: buyers are attracted by the physical appearance of the fruit. However, for a sustainable fruit farming business, we not only want to attract new customers but also keep them coming back everyday. The only sure way to create a huge base of return customers is to produce fruits that are rich in flavour. Taste is unforgettable and irrespective of how good a fruit looks, if it doesn’t taste as good, we lose the buyers. 

So how do we make our fruits sweet?

The amount of sugar content in your fruits is measured in Brix; the higher the brix, the sweeter the fruit. A higher brix is achieved when the plant is able to take up nutrients and water from the soil efficiently and convert them into sugars. Sufficient exposure to sunlight is very important in aiding the process of photosynthesis through which the plants manufacture sugars.

Fruit farming: How to improve the taste of your fruits

Also Read: How To Grow The Best Tangerine For The Market In Kenya

Here are some steps you can take to improve the brix of your plats and keep those customers coming back for more of your sweet fruits.

 

1. Maintain the right soil nutrient ratio

Please take note that we are talking about the ratio and not the amounts of the specific nutrients. Plants essentially need 3 main nutrients for healthy growth: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K). These are the elements denoted by NPK in fertilisers.

During the early stages, the best growth will be achieved if you maintain these elements such that we have about 30% to 60% nitrogen, 30% to 60% potassium and 10% to 30% Phosphorous.

However, when the plant gets to fruiting stage, you should reduce nitrogen and increase potassium. This is because excessive nitrates burn carbohydrates in the plant hence reducing the fruits brix (the measure of sugar content in a fruit).

Passion fruit at fruiting stage

So, if you are still adding lots of manure to your fruiting plants, you are reducing the sugar content of the fruits and damaging their flavour – manure is rich in nitrogen. Also check the contents of the fertilizer you use to top-dress your fruiting plants to ensure they have a higher K than N and P.

Also Read: How to produce Big Juicy Apples

 

2. Ensure sufficient soil moisture

I have heard some people saying that if you irrigate your plants during fruiting the fruits will be tasteless. That is far from the truth. Your plants need sufficient water for them to be able to absorb the nutrients in the soil. Plants absorb nutrients in solution form.

It will be of no use to have balanced nutrients in your soil with no water: the plant will not be able to absorb these nutrients.

Please note that I said sufficient – not too low and also not too high. If you over irrigate your plants, the roots “drown” and absorption of nutrients is again impeded.

 

3. Expose your plants to maximum sunlight

Plants use sunlight in the process of photosynthesis in which the leaves of the plant transform carbon dioxide and water into chemical energy that is stored in the plants as glucose. It is this glucose that gives the fruits the sweet taste.

So, if you grow your fruit plants in a shaded place, do not expect the fruits to be sweet. For this reason, if your fruit orchard is planted in rows, ensure that the rows run from East to West and not from North to South.

If your rows run North to South, the rows to the East cast shadows on the rows to the West of your farm in the morning and the reverse happens in the late afternoon.  As a result, your plants are only exposed to full sunlight around noon resulting in lower photosynthesis hence lower brix (fruit sweetness).

On the other hand, if your rows are in an East-West alignment, all the plants get sunlight all day long.

 

4. Keep the soil pH at the recommended level

Soil pH is a measure of how acidic or basic your soils are. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14 where 7 is neutral. If your soils have a pH of less that 7, they are acidic and if the scale is higher than 7 then they are basic.

Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients to your plants. In highly acidic or alkaline soils, phosphorous and many micronutrients important in improving the fruit brix are less available to the plant.

Most plants will perform best in soils of pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Out of this range, the plants might struggle and grow but the sweetness of the fruits will be severely affected since the plant’s nutrient uptake is seriously hampered.

Different plants grow optimally in different pH levels. Most fruits will grow best and have higher brix in slightly acidic soils of between 5 and 6.5 pH. But be sure to check the best levels for the specific fruit you are growing.

The good thing is that soil pH can be adjusted to suit your crop. If it is too low (meaning the soil is acidic), use agricultural lime to bring it down to the optimum level. If it is too high, use ammonium-based fertilisers or organic matter. The quantities of the corrective components will be determined by the pH level. Recommendations will be given to you if you use professional soil testing services such as CropNut in Limuru, Soil-Care or KALRO to establish your soil’s pH.

 

Hass avocado tree at fruiting stage

5. Apply seaweed extracts on our plants

Seaweed extracts are products that can be applied on the crop as foliar on drenched into the soil around the rooting area of your plants. Although some brands of seaweed extracts have trace nutrients, they are technically not fertilisers: they are bio-stimulants.

Simply put, seaweed extracts are biological products derived from sea weeds and containing plant growth hormones. When applied on crops, they help to improve the plant’s photosynthesis and efficient uptake and utilization of soil nutrients, irrespective of the composition of the soil. It works like a miracle boost.

From our earlier discuss, you can clearly see that this would result in higher brix. An added advantage is that seaweed extracts also trigger fruit ripening while also increasing the hardness of the fruits. As such, the fruit ripens fast but still with a good keeping quality.

There are many brands of seaweed extracts in Kenya. You can simply walk into an agrovet and ask for a seaweed-based bio-stimulant. Remember, this is not a substitute for fertilizer but a product aimed at helping your plant uptake and efficiently use the nutrients in the soil.

6. Plant the sweeter varieties

We have said much in the paragraphs above but this last one could be the most important: choose the right variety to plant. Fruit sweetness can and actually is influenced to a great extent by the genetic makeup of a specific variety. 

Let me give you an example: the solo sunrise and calina IPB9 varieties of pawpaw are the sweetest compared to mountain pawpaw and others: we cant even mention the big indigenous varieties here because those were actually bitter.  Even if you got all the other 5 points right and missed on this one, all your efforts of becoming a successful fruit farmer will never pay. 

Also Read: Why Solo Sunrise Is the Most Popular Pawpaw Variety in Kenya and the World

Pixie Orange Farming: A Worthy Investment For The Year 2024

Pixie oranges continue to become very popular among Kenyan consumers. This is because this variety of oranges is a lot sweeter than the ordinary large oranges, juicier and their orange flavour is very sharp. Actually, if you cut a pixie orange in one room, its refreshing smell will be calling someone from the next room. Farmers have realized the huge opportunity arising from the demand and are making efforts to fill the gap. However, the few pixie orange farming activities in Kenya are far from meeting the growing demand within the country and even abroad.

Pixie orange farming in Kenya

Pixie farming areas in Kenya

Being a variety of citrus fruits, pixie oranges thrive in hot climatic conditions. Currently, Makueni County leads in the production of this fruit, followed by the other Ukambani counties of Machakos and Kitui. The hot Baringo County is also hot on the trail and gladly, the coastal people of Kwale and Taita Taveta have woken up to the opportunity even though in very small scales.

Also Read: How To Grow Sweet Fruits And Keep Your Customers Coming Back For More

Grafted trees mature faster

Pixie oranges originated from California and are seedless. Therefore, the only available method of propagating this variety in Kenya is by grafting. This brings forth another advantage in that the grafted seedlings mature faster. Grafted pixie oranges will start giving you fruits in the second year and mature after 3-5 years depending on how well they are taken care of. At first, each tree will give a few fruits; about 30 to 50 fruits. This production increases every year as the branches grow wider. The highest yield is attained in the 4^th or 5^th year in which each pixie tree can give up to 300 fruits; about 60 kgs per tree.

A pixie orange tree with fruits

How to grow pixie

Pixie can grow in many different types of soils. However the best soils are the well drained sandy loam soils. Like many other fruit trees, pixie requires fertile soils with a high humus content and a pH level of between 6.5 and 7.4. The planting holes should be prepared well to a size of 2x2 feet – 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. Separate the top soil from the bottom soil and use the rich top soil mixed with manure to plant your seedlings. Mix the soil and manure at the ratio 1:2 (1 bucket of manure for 2 buckets of soil. When filling back the whole with the mixture of soil and manure, ensure you leave about 10 cm to create space for watering your seedlings.

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

Best climate for growing pixie

The best climate for pixie farming in Kenya is warm or hot with temperatures between 10℃ and 30℃. The rainfall should be at least 1,000 mm annually although this can be supplemented through irrigation to achieve optimum yields. The fruit thrives between the sea level and an altitude of about 2100m.

Recommended spacing for pixie

Pixie orange trees grow to a height of 4 meters and spread to a radius of 3m. Therefore the recommended spacing for pixie is 3 by 5 meters: 3m from plant to plant and 5m from line to line. With this spacing, you can plant 270 high yielding trees in one acre. The distance in between the rows of trees is kept at 5 meters to allow sufficient work space for spraying and harvesting. This space can also be used to grow cover crops such as beans.

Why you should do pixie orange farming in 2024

Pixie orange farming is very profitable with an acre giving a turnover of up to Ksh1.2 million per year as reported by farmers in Makueni. These fruits are sold at an average price of Ksh80 per kilo at the farm gate. 

A well tended tree will give 60 kilos of fruits in a year and an acre can accommodate 270 such trees. The cost of starting a pixie farm is just one-time and would be about Ksh150,000. Of this initial capital, you only need about Ksh100,000 for purchasing seedlings (around Ksh67,500) and planting labour (around Ksh33,000) at first. 

The remaining 50,000 is needed over time since it’s used for maintaining the orchard in terms of pest control and irrigation where need be. Once established, the farm will be generating income for you every year for the next 20 to 30 years.

Pixie orange market in Kenya

Kenyans have developed an unmatched liking for this fruit: it's bright colour, juicy nature and sweet taste is simply irresistible. As a result, pixie oranges have a wide market in the country even though they remain quite pricy. Just like apples and the seedless grapes, you will find them being sold even in the fruit kiosks in our estates and roadsides. 

People in hot areas like Kisumu and Mombasa particularly love the fruits for juicing. You can actually feel the sweet orange smell near juice making shops and that is very attractive. For now, the supply still remains low as the demand sores. 

How to start a pixie farm

You can get grafted pixie orange seedlings ready for transplanting from Richfarm Kenya. Kindly call 0724698357 /0723213602 to order for seedlings.