“THE FRUIT OF HAPPINESS’’

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  Have you ever wondered what the "Fruit of Happiness" is?  Yes,  they are the bananas!!! Bananas reduce stress and anxiety and lead to positive emotions. Next time you feel anxious or stressed, grab a banana and immediately feel relief. The fruit contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, the main component of serotonin, also known as the  "happiness hormone."  This chemical is used for communication between nerve cells in the brain. Low levels of serotonin in the brain are one of the main causes of depression caused by stress and anxiety. Serotonin stimulates the nervous system of the brain and makes people feel happy, satisfied, cheerful and calm.  Introduction  Tissue cultured bananas are obtained from tissue or cell growth separate from the organism. It is used for  mass production of planting materials for seedlings and crops of the highest quality. It is done to increase yield and promote good quality. This technique is performed in a la...
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How to make Kshs. 10M per year through Dragon fruit farming in Kenya

Dragon fruit also known as Pitahaya belongs to the cactus family. The fruit which has a number of health benefits hence the high demand for the fruit. The fruit costs close to Kshs. 1,000 per kilogram and this is attributed to the low supply against the high demand for the product.

                                                                Dragon fruit farm

In Kenya agri-preneurs are picking the fruit farming especially in Meru, Naivasha and Laikipia.  The fruits thrive in arid and semi-arid conditions. The fruit is highly nutritious with a very high demand due to antioxidant properties, suitable for the digestive system and it is also rich in Vitamin C that boosts immunity. Has low calories therefore recommended for those with heart diseases, diabetes, arthritis etc.

The fruits weighs 600g-1.2kgs per fruit. The lifespan of the crop can go 20-30 years. Poles should be used to support the crop since it is a climbing plant. Wooden posts or concrete posts can be used of 5x5 inches or 4x4 respectively.

Varieties                                     

Red/purple fleshed



White fleshed



Propagation

The plant is propagated through grafted seedlings, cuttings or use of seeds.

An acre accommodates 2,000 plants planted at 1 meter between the stools and 2 meters between the lines each seedling costing Kshs. 2,000 (approximately 20USD).

The cuttings should be at least 30cm long and 2 years old minimum. It takes 12-18 months to begin fruiting.

The plant prefers sandy soils not waterlogged soils.

Yields

A farmer can harvest up to 10 fruits per tree per year and each fruit weighs on average 500g. 

In one acre there are 2000 trees therefore 2,000x 10=20,000 fruits 

This is equal to 10,000kgs (average weigh per fruit -500g)

A kilogram of dragon fruit goes for Kshs. 1,000

Therefore in 1 acre= Kshs. 10,000,000 (10,000USD) per year.

Suitable areas in Coast region where the fruit can grow; - Kinango (Kwale County), Mwatate and Taveta (Taita Taveta County), Chakama and Magarini (Kilifi County), Boji (Tana River County)

Target market; Asian community in the Coastal region.


Comments

  1. Ibrahim27 September 2022 at 05:34

    Thanks for the information..keep us updated.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aziza21 October 2022 at 05:06

    I love the info!!!! Mwaka huu lazima tukue wakulima

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nelson Gandhi3 November 2022 at 04:01

    Am learning from this educativee piece,,I could end up being a farmer

    ReplyDelete

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