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.

Also read:

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

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. 

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.

Read also: Why Pixie Orange Farming In Kenya Is Booming Now

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

1. Suckers perpetuate the spread of banana diseases and pests.
2. 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:

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

Some of the disadvantages of TC include:

1. It’s an expensive method of propagation as it involves laboratory experiments.
2. Reduction in the genetic diversity of the banana due to the fact that all plants are genetically similar.
3. 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

Tomato Farming in Kenya: How To Do It Without Burning Your Fingers

Tomato farming is obviously one of the most profitable horticultural activities in Kenya. This is obviously so because no Kenyan meal is considered complete without the taste of tomato. Consequently, the market is huge and ready and this is the fact that has encouraged many people to invest in large scale tomato farming.

Tomato farming in Naivasha, Kenya

Everyone knows someone who has made millions with this crop but they also know many others who have lost terribly while at it. What makes the difference between the rich tomato farmers and those who lose their money in it is what I am about to tell you here.

1. Don’t farm tomatoes anywhere

Tomatoes are very easy to grow; throw a seed anywhere and a few days later you will find a nice green seedling there. This can easily deceive you into thinking that you can grow tomatoes anywhere. However, for you to achieve a good harvest and make money, you have to establish your farm under the optimum conditions.

Tomatoes thrive in deep well drained soils under warm or hot climate. Rainfall should be low or moderate, although the crop requires a lot of water to produce well. This is the reason why most tomato farms in Kenya are located along rivers in Narok, Kajiado, Makueni, Southern Embu, Laikipia and lower Kirinyaga. These places have the ideal high temperatures while the rivers provide the much needed water for irrigation.

If your place does not have these ideal conditions, you can consider other crops and here is a list of  Six Crops That Can Make You Rich This Year. 

Of course people at the coast would be making a kill from tomato farming but, unfortunately, their culture and attitude towards agribusiness stands between them and the red sweet money they would get from tomato farming.

2. Go for varieties that are high producing and disease resistant

Scientific research and development has continued to bring us better tomato varieties in terms of production and disease resistance. Why would you want to stick to those varieties that give you only a handful after your long wait and hard work? Some of the best open field tomato varieties that we now have in Kenya are Terminator, Big rock and Zara. Of course Anna F1 still rules the greenhouse space. Well, you are not limited to these varieties but before you buy any seeds, ensure check the production potential and the variety’s ability to resist common tomato pests and diseases.

3. Do not use ancient nursery methods to raise your tomato seedlings

I don’t know why I didn’t even start with this point. The greatest determinant of whether your tomato farming project is going to be a success or a failure is the method you use to raise your seedlings. You see that traditional way of preparing a nursery bed on the ground; fine soil, 1 metre width, grass mulch on top, etc? I’m sorry it’s what our agriculture teachers taught us back then but the truth is that is the source of most farmers’ loses. Let me tell you why:

Seedlings raised this way are exposed to soil borne diseases at that tender age. You transplant these seedlings onto your farm and they come already infected and weak. They will never give you optimum yields even if they grew to maturity.

When transplanting these seedlings, the roots are severely interfered with; some are even broken in the process. Therefore you end up with weak seedlings that are badly affected by transplanting shock. They take more than one week to recover and never really get to their best. Poor start is equal to poor results.

So go for those seedlings that are professionally raised using modern technology. These seedlings are planted in either coco peat or peat moss. These are media that are disease-free, very light and less compact to allow for faster root development. The seedlings are raised in trays that make it easy to get the seedlings out without interfering with the roots. Such seedlings do not even suffer transplanting shock since their roots are intact. They give you the kick start you need for a good yield.

Tomato seedlings raised using modern techniques

4. Ensure you do proper staking and pruning of your tomato plants

I must commend our Kenyan tomato farmers on this because I have seen most of them put efforts to stake their plants. However, it is unfortunate that most of them do it a bit too late. Staking should be done early while the seedling is still young. This helps the plant to receive maximum sunlight throughout its growth period. Also, if you do staking too late, you will find yourself trying to straighten some of the bent plants and end up breaking them.

Pruning is what most farmers have completely ignored, yet, it is as important as staking. We prune tomato plants to get rid of diseased branches, improve air circulation and lighting and most importantly to help the plant feed what is of importance to us – the fruits. If the tomato plant has too many side shoots and old leaves are left clinging on the stem, a lot of nutrients will be used to feed these parts yet they are not important to us.

5. Take timely action

Finally, the most important aspect of successful tomato farming is taking required actions early enough. Unfortunately, Kenyans will wait until their crop is heavily infested with pests before they start running from one agrovet to the other in search for the most powerful pesticide. They end up using a lot of money and saving nothing since the pest would have already done its damage.

Worse still are the farmers who will wait for the plants to start weathering before they do the next irrigation. This takes the plants several steps backwards and significantly affects production.

So do what you need to do early enough: apply that fertilizer at the right time, strike that pest before it goes through its full cycle and irrigate the plants immediately the top soil feels crumbly if you squeeze it in your hand.

Do not forget to also read:

Pixie Orange Farming: A Worthy Investment For The Year 2022

And of course:

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

We are always happy to hear from and help you. If you would like help in tomato farming, like getting high quality seedlings, advice on the best pest control methods and more, do not hesitate to call us on 0724698357.

The 2021 Avocado Harvesting Season In Kenya Starts

The harvesting season for Kenyan avocado has started in February 2021. The season starts with the Fuerte variety in February and the hass variety in March. The harvesting, processing and transportation of the Kenyan avocados, especially the hass and Fuerte varieties, had been halted by a government restriction. This is usually done to prevent greedy traders from exporting immature fruits to the international market, something that has been hurting the country’s reputation in the world avocado market.

Kenyan Hass avocado for export

Kenya Fresh, one of the exporting companies in Kenya says that the key markets remain in the European Union, especially the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain. Russia has also grown into an important market for the Kenyan avocados especially because it prefers Fuerte. Most of the avocado farmers in Kenya concentrate on hass avocado production but as such markets open up for Fuerte, more Fuerte plantations are likely to come up.

The Middle East countries of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt also form part of the market we shall be exporting our avocados to this year. In the Far East, we target Malaysia and Singapore.  

Kenya is also trying to renegotiate trade protocols with China in regards to avocado. Currently, China only accepts frozen avocados from Kenya. If they agree to import fresh avocados from us, then Kenya will have a breakthrough in the avocado industry. This is because China has a very high population of people who also have high purchasing power.

If you would like to go into avocado farming for export, then be sure to read our article How To Grow Avocados In Kenya For Export

Why Pixie Orange Farming In Kenya Is Booming Now

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

Pixie orange farming in Kenya

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

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

Where can pixie oranges be grown in Kenya?

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

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

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

Pixie Orange Farming in Kenya: How to Plant

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

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

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

Where to get Pixie orange seedlings

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

Pests and diseases

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

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

Where to sell pixie fruit in Kenya

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

How do I start pixie farming in Kenya?

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

The company can do the actual planting for you. They have a complete package in which you only need to pay Ksh80,000 and they will do the rest for you: soil test, preparation of the planting holes, provision of 200 high quality grafted pixie seedlings, the actual planting and then give you technical support for a lifetime. See how to contact them from the Contact Us page.