5 Reasons You Should Inter-Crop Pixie Oranges and Pawpaws in Kenya

Growing Pixie oranges and pawpaws together is an innovative approach that can yield numerous benefits to both crops. Pixie oranges, known for their sweet and juicy flavour, are a popular citrus variety. Similarly, pawpaws have gained popularity with their unique tropical taste in recent years. 

Pixie trees inter-cropped with pawpaw

You can optimise space, promote biodiversity, and enhance the ecosystem's overall health by cultivating these two plants together. In this article, let us explore the various advantages of growing pixie oranges and pawpaws together, highlighting this symbiotic relationship's ecological, economic, and horticultural aspects.

Advantages of Inter-cropping Pixie and Pawpaws 

1. Maximising Space - 1 farm producing 2 fruits at the same time

Cultivating Pixie oranges and pawpaws together maximises land utilisation. Both crops have almost similar growth requirements, such as climate and soil conditions. They both do well in warm or hot areas such as the ukambani counties of Makueni, Machakos and Kitui. The hot Baringo County is also hot on the trail and, gladly, also the coastal areas of Kwale and Taita Taveta are embracing pixie and pawpaw farming. 

A bit of irrigation may be necessary for pixie oranges, as they are less drought-resistant than pawpaws. By combining these two plants, a farmer can utilise the same plot of land for multiple harvests, ultimately achieving higher productivity per unit area. 

To successfully cultivate the two fruit trees together, Pixies would require a spacing of 5m by 6m, while pawpaws, which usually require a 2m by 2m spacing, would be grown between the pixie trees.

2. Ecological diversity - Attract more pollinators hence a bigger harvest

Moreover, growing these fruits together promotes ecological diversity. Each plant attracts different pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, thereby increasing the chances of successful cross-pollination. This intermingling of insect activity enhances the overall biodiversity of the area, leading to a healthier ecosystem and a more sustainable agricultural practice. Bugs like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps are great deterrents for other pests that will eat your fruit crops.

3. Continuous income - When 1 fruit goes off-season, the other gives you money

You can benefit from the combination of these crops in terms of economics. Pawpaws have a much faster maturity rate than pixies, providing an earlier source of income. In hotter climates, pawpaws start producing as early as six months from planting, and pixie oranges will start producing in the second year. 

Additionally, by diversifying their produce, farmers can tap into different market segments, and ensure that they are always selling something. for example, in most of the hot areas, the peak production season for pawpaw spans the months of November through to March. The pixie peak season then sets in from April through to September. Hence a farmer who has both of these trees on his land increase sales and revenue streams.

4. Reduced risk of loss due to pests and diseases outbreak

Growing pawpaw and pixie oranges together reduces the risk of a farmer being thrown out of business due to an outbreak of a specific pest or disease. Pixie oranges and pawpaw trees have distinctive pest profiles, meaning pests and diseases affecting one crop may not necessarily affect the other. Hence, by planting the two fruit trees on the same land,  farmers reduce the risks associated with the outbreak of a specific pest. 

Inter-cropping pixie and pawpaw also disrupts the build-up of pests and diseases by creating a more diverse environment, hence minimising the use of pesticides and promoting a more environmentally friendly farming practice.

5. Efficient soil nutrient utilisation - pawpaws eat from the top layer, pixie roots search deeper

Pixie orange and pawpaw inter-cropping offers an opportunity to fine-tune soil conditions. Pixie trees have deeper root systems, capable of accessing nutrients in lower soil layers. As a result, they alleviate nutrient competition among the pawpaw  trees, ensuring a more balanced nutrient availability throughout the growing season. This synergy helps maintain the health and vigour of the plants, ultimately leading to better fruit quality and enhanced harvests.

Detailed information on pixie fruit farming in Kenya can be found on; Pixie Orange Farming: A Worthy Investment For The Year 2023.

Read also for pawpaw farming in Kenya; Pawpaws Make You Money While Asking For Very Little Input From You.

NOTE:

• • An integrated pest management system is necessary as you will deal with more than one pest type.
  • Integration of Hass avocado with pawpaws can be practised in warm climates. Avocados do well in cool to warm climates as opposed to pawpaws, which do well in warm to hot temperatures.
  • The main crop should be avocado or pixie; pawpaw should be used to generate cash-flows as early as month six to supplement the primary crop and cushion the farmer. Additional income can be used to expand primary crop acreage or employ economic practices such as drip irrigation, solar-powered water pumping, digging a self-sufficient borehole, and having a huge capacity dam.
  • It is always advisable to have a good area for expansion as fruit farming is a very profitable venture.
  • More farmyard manure or organic fertilisers should be applied from time to time to improve fertility and balance competition.

Which is Best: Commercial Fruit Crop Farming Vs Real Estate Investment

Real estate investment has long been considered a reliable and lucrative option for individuals looking to grow their wealth. However, an alternative investment avenue that now needs to be noticed is commercial fruit farming. 

Commercial fruit farming VS Real estate development

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic the real estate industry experienced a huge downturn in demand for office spaces and in-person meetings. With the advancement in technology in-person meetings are likely to go down. 

While real estate certainly has advantages, this article highlights the numerous reasons why commercial fruit farming can be a superior investment option in the current age of. By examining the initial investment needed, Return on Investment(ROI), economic viability, potential for long-term returns, environmental benefits, and risks and comparing it to real estate investment, we will uncover the compelling case for commercial fruit farming as a profitable and sustainable investment strategy.

1) Return on Investment (ROI)

The Return on Investment in real estate in Kenya can vary widely based on factors such as location, property type, market condition, property management, and economic trends. ROI calculations can be complex and may need to consider various costs and potential revenue streams. Be it as it may, we can take a simple example: all factors are constant. 

 

Assuming a rental property that a middle-class Kenyan could afford, maybe a pensionable government employee like a teacher would manage to do. They buy a plot located a few kilometers out of town for about Ksh. 1.5M. The cost of building simple 8 or 9 one-bedroom houses on the 50 by 100 land ranges from 3.5M-5M for a single floor without a concrete slab for future development. The cost may go high depending on the availability of raw materials nearby and the choice of house finishes the owner may decide to have. That would bring the estimated total cost to about 6M.  

 

Assuming 70% tenancy (some months the tenancy could be 100% and others below 50%) for houses whose rent would be 7,500-10,000 depending on how far the house is from the town, eight houses at Ksh 8,000 per month would generate about Ksh 44,800 monthly, which translates to Ksh 537,200 annually. Routine maintenance and improvement plus caretaker remuneration would take away an estimated figure of Ksh 80,000. A percentage of the annual income goes to a real estate agent who will manage the property on the owner's behalf; as many would understand, dealing directly with tenants can be hectic if you deal with a bad lot. 

 

Include rental tax and the estimated annual income would be around Ksh—400,000 for that property. If you divide this figure by the 6M cost figure, you will look at a 15-year ROI period, assuming that all the money generated would go to repaying a loan they took. Most loans by government employees take about 96 months or eight years to repay. This forces the owner to take top-ups and mostly end up losing the property or selling at a throwaway price to ease the burden on the pay slip. This explains why hundreds of rental properties are up for sale on jiji.com and Facebook Market Place, some generating as much as half a million in monthly rent.

As for commercial fruit farming, we can pick common practices like Hass avocado, Pixie oranges, passion fruit ,Macadamia or dragon fruit farming for export: see the details we have given about these crops at the end of this article. For our case, we will pick what Kenya is now best known for in the export market: Hass avocado farming. 

2) Initial Investment

 

The average price of a 50x100 property in a prime area with enough potential for real estate investment could be anywhere from Ksh 3 million in smaller towns running into hundreds of millions in big towns like Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa. Conversely, arable land suitable for Hass avocado farming would go from a few hundred thousand in areas like Laikipia, other parts of the Rift Valley, Eastern region, Coast Region, Nyanza, and Western. There's cheap farming land in every corner of this country, going for as low as Ksh300,000 per acre in places with road, power and water accessibility. 

 

With real estate development, it is advisable to do a one-off complete structure instead of incremental development where you build several floors depending on cash flow issues. Developing land with some occupants poses a health hazard as the potential for injuring people is high, and dust and noise pollution for occupants may chase them away. On the other hand, expanding the area under cultivation on your farm does not inconvenience anyone; as such, the initial amount for investment does not have to be as huge as is the case for real estate.

3) Nature of Land

 

For real estate investment, the nature and location of land is one of the most important factors. Commercial land should be located in a prime area with a high potential for tenancy. Acquiring land in prime areas is a very expensive affair. 

Compared to fruit farming, land for cultivation can be located in remote locations where land is cheaper. The only issues to consider are the nature of the soil and avoiding extreme weather conditions. Water availability for irrigation can be checked off by drilling a borehole or harvesting rainwater using dams. Most fruits do quite well within the tropics as the climatic conditions are very stable. 

4) Economic Viability of Commercial Fruit Farming

When it comes to commercial fruit farming, the potential for high financial returns is high. Fruit, a staple in our diets, has a constant demand both locally and internationally, ensuring a steady market. The profitability analysis of fruit farming reveals attractive margins, thanks to the increasing health-conscious trend among consumers.

See the projected profit margins for 5 select fruits in this article: 5 Fruit Crops That Start Earning You Money In The Second Year. 

 

Unlike real estate investment, which can be subject to market fluctuations and economic downturns, the fruit farming industry remains fairly resilient. People will always need and crave delicious, juicy fruits – no matter the state of the economy. 

5) Potential for Long-Term Returns in Commercial Fruit Farming

 

Commercial fruit farming offers excellent growth prospects if you're in it for the long haul. As the world's population expands, the demand for fresh and nutritious food will only increase. This presents a golden opportunity for fruit farmers to corner their market and reap long-term rewards.

 

Furthermore, factors like advancements in agricultural technology, improved farming techniques, and access to global markets contribute to the fruitful returns of commercial fruit farming. As an investor, you can tap into these developments and enjoy watching your orchards flourish over time.

Several options are available for the long-term commercial fruit farmer; here, we would look at fruit crops that would be giving you returns for more than 20 years.

1. Dragon fruit farming

·            Cost per seedling Ksh. 500

·            Seedlings per acre -2,000 

·            Spacing - 2m by 2m

·            Fruit price- Ksh. 400-500 per kg (farmgate)

·            Yield- 20-30 fruits per plant per year

·            Lifespan - 40 yrs plus

Read Dragon fruit farming step by step guide

2. Hass avocado farming

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 150
• Seedlings per acre - 150
• Spacing - 5m by 5m
• Fruit price- Ksh. 15-22 per fruit
• Yield- 600-800 fruits per tree per season
• Lifespan 30 yrs plus

More information on How To Grow Avocados In Kenya For Export

 

3. Citrus fruit farming

In this category we have pixie oranges, Washington oranges, blood oranges, tangerine, lemon among others.

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 250
• Seedlings per acre - 270
• Spacing - 3m by 5m
• Fruit price- Ksh. 5-10 per fruit
• Yield- 300-500 fruits per tree per season
• Lifespan 40 yrs plus

Read ;Why Pixie Orange Farming In Kenya Is Booming Now 

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

4. Apple fruit farming

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 250
• Seedlings per acre - 450
• Spacing - 3m by 3m
• Fruit price- Ksh. 20-30 per fruit depending on variety
• Yield- 500 fruits per plant per season
• Lifespan 30 yrs plus

Read; Apple farming in Kenya: How to produce Big Juicy Apples

We would also love to give you some interesting facts here about commercial apple farming: 

The highest number of fruits recorded to have been produced by an apple tree in one season is 2,820. This record was set by a Granny Smith apple tree in New Zealand in 2009. The tree was 25 years old and was planted in a commercial orchard. It was well-cared for and received regular fertilization, irrigation, and pest control. The tree also benefited from a mild climate and long growing season.

The average number of apples produced by an apple tree in one season is 400 to 800. However, the number of apples produced can vary depending on the variety of apple tree, the age of the tree, the growing conditions, and the care that the tree receives.

5. Mango farming

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 150
• Seedlings per acre - 180
• Spacing - 4m by 5m
• Fruit price- Ksh. 6-10 per fruit (farm gate)
• Yield - 600 - 1,000 fruits per tree
• Lifespan 30 yrs plus

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

6. Macadamia farming

• Cost per seedling Ksh. 300
• Seedlings per acre - 80
• Spacing - 7m by 7m
• Fruit price- Ksh. 100 per kg
• Yield- 100 kgs per tree
• Lifespan 30 yrs plus

Here's how to do it; Professional Macadamia Farming in Kenya: Full Guide

Conclusion

Real estate development is quite a good form of long-term investment. It gives the investor an opportunity to earn the residual monthly income from rent while enjoying the rising value of land over time. While commercial fruit farming offers the same benefits but with a lower initial investment, quicker and higher returns in investment and diverse investment options, it hasn't been taken up by many, mostly because of lack of knowledge.

The commercial fruit farming field in Kenya had also not been given much attention in the past, hence few innovations and support services were developed. However, with the success of companies such as Kakuzi, the recognition of Kenyan fruits in the international markets and the growing interest in agribusiness among youths, the field is becoming better investment alternative to real estate. 

Innovative companies such as Richfarm Kenya have also entered the space with invaluable solutions. Investors in commercial fruit farming can now enjoy hands free investments just like their counterparts in real estate: our agribusiness consultancy services provide what real estate agents provide for the investors across the divide. The saying that Future Billionaires Will Be Farmers has never been more valid than it now is. 

Understanding Water Erosion And Its Global Impact

The world is losing a football pitch of soil to erosion every five seconds, according to FAO. Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process, in which the topsoil (the most fertile layer) is carried away by water, wind, or ice. It is, however, fast-tracked 100 to 1,000 times by such human activities as intensive farming, overgrazing, and deforestation, which decreases soil fertility and cropland productivity, endangering global food security in the long run. 

Water Erosion

A chisel in the hands of Mother Nature, water has been sculpting its way through lands and rocks for eons to create intricately beautiful landforms. Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and Mexican cenotes are all stunning examples of water erosion. At the same time, this natural phenomenon is accountable for about 72% of the world’s eroded soils. And, given the effects of climate change in some regions, this figure is likely to increase as the amount of precipitation grows. As a result, farmers are losing the most significant resource for growing crops – topsoil – which directly affects soil’s fertility and its potential to produce abundant yield.

What causes erosion by water

Water erosion involves several processes: detachment, transportation, and deposition of soil material. It is primarily triggered by several forces: rainfall and flowing water. Depending on the intensity of rainfall, raindrops can splash soil particles away at various, yet small distances, while runoff water further moves them downslope. Finally, the resulting sediments are deposited in streams, ponds, and reservoirs, where they build up over time.

Another point to consider while looking for the roots of erosion by water is human activities that directly and indirectly contribute to this phenomenon. Improper irrigation of cultivated lands results in degradation of soil, which erodes away and becomes vulnerable to flooding or waterlogging. Farmlands left bare after intensive tillage are especially prone to erosion; such soils lose structure and ability to properly hold plants. These are direct causes of water erosion. Whereas glacier melt exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions that are massively produced by industry, transport, fossil fuel burning, and human-induced deforestation are indirect causes.

Improper Irrigation Methods: A leading cause of soil erosion

There are a multitude of factors that determine how badly water affects soil, causing it to erode away. These are typically related to soil type (structure, porosity, water infiltration capacity, etc.), land topography (grade of slope), and climate (rainfall intensity and duration). It is considered that most often water erosion occurs in regions with steep slopes, soils having low water infiltration rates, and poor (or no) vegetation cover. 

Water-induced erosion: types and scale

Erosion by water manifests itself in various forms depending on the magnitude and damage extent. The most widespread types are interlinked with each other and can be best described as several stages of a single process.

1. Splash erosion

Rain provides crops with water, which is essential for proper plant development. Raindrops, however, have an adverse effect on soil, slowly ruining its top layer. Raindrops hitting bare ground create “mini-explosions” that move soil particles away and leave tiny craters behind them. The detached soil dissolves in water and continues its way down the slope as a mud. Finally, soil gets covered with a crust and its ability to infiltrate water reduces. That’s how splash erosion occurs. 

Bare farmlands typically become an easy prey to this least impactful, yet dangerous type of water damage since it paves way for other, more detrimental eroding processes. 

2. Sheet erosion

This water erosion type occurs whenever rainfall is so intense that soil can’t fully absorb the incoming water. The finest light particles of soil’s top layer are carried away by the sheet of excess water overflowing above the ground and further down the hill. With it, the most nutrient-rich part of soil is lost. 

Water erosion

In most cases, sheet erosion hits badly crusted soils.

3. Rill erosion

If left unattended, sheet erosion can progress to form finger-shaped channels or rills that are usually up to 30 cm deep. More soil particles are carried away with the water flow, intensifying damage done to soil, and eventually gullies are formed. 

4. Gully erosion

Gullies are wide and deep trenches that develop as a result of the increased water runoff, both in volume and speed. They typically originate from cattle burrows and bullock cart tracks. At times, gullies can grow up to a scale where they impede farm machinery passes or even make cropland unusable for farming. Being one of the most advanced types of water erosion, gullies require serious interventions in terms of restoration. Aside from soil degradation, gully erosion also affects water quality due to high concentration of sediments that end up in streams and larger water bodies.

5. Tunnel erosion

Also called “hidden”, this type of water-induced soil damage erodes the subsurface, creating underground cavities that may remain unnoticed for a long time. It happens when water moves down through a structurally unsound soil into a hollow space below where it keeps washing away the soil to form water-flowing tunnels. Dispersive soils like sodosols and sodic soils that have unstable subsoil are especially prone to tunnel erosion and eventual collapse.

Impacts of water erosion on ecosystems 

Accelerated water erosion that by far exceeds the land’s natural erosion rate leaves its mark on both nature and human well-being. 

Loss of topsoil layer, which is most rich in organic matter, nutrients, and microorganisms, directly affects flora. Plants growing in eroded soils with diminished water infiltration can’t get the required amount of water and nutrients for proper development. As a result, soil grows infertile and croplands underproductive, affecting the income and livelihoods of farmers that live off crops.

Another major problem resulting from erosion by water is flooding. Compared to healthy soils, eroded soils have reduced ability to absorb water, which increases the risks of flooding after storms and intense rainfalls. Flood-prone regions, such as low-lying landscapes or areas with poor soil drainage, are hit the worst. In extreme cases, floods can sweep away roads and other infrastructure objects disrupting transportation, supply chains, and even causing fatalities.

Water supply itself is badly affected by water erosion. The nutrient-rich topsoil is washed away to rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, increasing the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water (a process known as eutrophication) and reducing its oxygen levels. Moreover, harmful pesticides from farmlands get washed away from agricultural fields and reach neighboring bodies. This causes pollution and further decreases water quality. Modified chemical composition of water and presence of agrochemicals also have adverse effects on aquatic wildlife, leading to over-the-top algae bloom and fish kill.  

Keeping water erosion at bay with EOSDA Crop Monitoring

Knowing how to prevent water erosion – for example, by maintaining proper vegetation cover and leaving a protective layer of crop residue on top of the ground – can help preserve soil fertility and cropland productivity. Today, the implementation of beneficial soil conservation practices is simplified through the use of digital precision agriculture tools. EOSDA Crop Monitoring, an online satellite data-based tool developed by EOS Data Analytics, delivers actionable information about fields and vegetation that helps spot and address various types of water erosion in croplands, large and small. 

An array of vegetation indices has proven instrumental in distinguishing between vegetated areas and bare soil, which is vulnerable to splash erosion. The combination of Productivity maps and Scouting feature allow for precise detection of field areas that consistently underperform over seasons and dispatching professional scouts to check for any signs of sheet erosion, which might be causing it. 

Additionally, EOSDA Crop Monitoring can provide a strong basis for rehabilitating farmlands damaged by tunnel erosion. The repair requires a combined set of techniques, including chemical amelioration and subsequent fertilizer application to restore productivity in affected areas. The platform’s Zoning feature may add precision and simplify the respective soil testing for chemical analysis and variable-rate application of nutritive agents.

Water is a powerful force that may be both beneficial and harmful to one of the planet’s most precious and finite resources – soil. Water erosion destroys arable lands at alarming rate and is projected to increase by 30 to 66% by 2070, exacerbated by human activities. To keep it at bay, it is necessary to implement soil conservation practices preventing the water-induced damage. Modern data-rich precision agriculture tools are designed to improve soil-preserving strategies and make the implementation as simple and effective as possible.