Investing in Pomegranate farming in Kenya
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People investing in high-value crops are smiling all the way to the bank. Pomegranates is one of the crops that is earning people millions. The crop that requires little space per tree and produces big fruits when well-watered and taken care of. It is considered to be one of the most expensive fruits hence one can earn substantial income even from a small piece of land. Due to its profitability, people are being advised to take up the pomegranate farming as a commercial venture.
Ecological requirements for Pomegranate Farming
Rainfall: Pomegranates require dry and semi-arid weather. The plant is drought-tolerant and does not require a lot of water. The crop performs best when grown under irrigation.
Temperatures: The optimum temperatures for pomegranate farming range from 200C – 300C. Optimum temperatures for flowering, fruit development, and ripening, range from 350C -380C
Altitude: Pomegranates perform well in a wide range of altitudes. However, low altitudes of between 500 – 1000m above sea level are the most suitable for the crop.
Soil: The plant grows in a wide range of soils, both low-fertile and high-fertile soils. However, it performs best in deep, loamy, and well-drained soils. It can tolerate slight salinity and alkalinity. The ideal pH for pomegranate farming range from6.5 – 7.5.
Spacing and Planting
Pomegranates require a spacing of around 3.5m x 4m. Before planting, the topsoil should be mixed with well-decomposed manure to improve soil fertility and drainage.
Areas grown in Kenya
In Kenya, pomegranates perform well in areas such as Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, parts of North-eastern Kenya like Wajir and Mandera, parts of Central Kenya such as Nyeri, the coastal region, and most parts of Western Kenya. They also thrive in parts such as Kisumu.
Weeding
Pomegranate orchards should be weed-free. Mulching and planting cover crops is recommended to minimize the growth of weeds.
Varieties
Pomegranate varieties that perform well in Kenya include;
- Kandhari
- Ganesh
- Jyothi
- Mradula
- Bhagwa
- Jalore Seedless
- Phule Arakta
Maturity
Pomegranate harvesting depends on the growing region, ecological conditions, and management techniques. Harvesting takes place 5-6 months after flowering. At this time, the fruits are mature and ready for harvesting.
Pests and Diseases
Pomegranates are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases such as;
Pests
Some of the pests affecting pomegranates include;
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Omnivorous leafrollers
- Mites
- Pomegranate fruit borer
Diseases
Diseases affecting pomegranates include;
- Cerspora fruit spot
- Heart rot
- Bacterial leafspot
- Gray mold
Price per seedling
At Oxfarm Ag, we sell certified pomegranate seedlings at Ksh 300 each.
Production and Output
Healthy pomegranate trees can produce high yields ranging from 12-15kgs per tree during the first year. In the subsequent years (second year onwards), the yield per tree ranges from 15-20kgs. Pomegranates are one of the most expensive fruits in the world. In Kenya, the retail prices for one fruit range from Ksh 150 – ksh 300 while the wholesale prices range from Ksh 80 – Ksh 100. The fruit retails at premium prices in the export market with one kilo going for an average price of between Ksh 1500 – Ksh 1700.
This means that a farmer can earn between Ksh 1,080,000 – Ksh 2,160,000 in the first year.
In the export market, a farmer can pocket between Ksh 3,600,000 – Ksh 4,800,000.
From the second year onwards, a farmer should expect a minimum of Ksh 1,350,000 in the Kenyan market and ksh 4,500,000 in the export market. Isn’t that a lucrative venture?
Package cost
Establishing pomegranate orchards has never been easy to most farmers. Through our extensive research, we have realized that most farmers do not have adequate expertise on pomegranate farming. This has caused them huge losses. To help farmers experience the profitability of the agribusiness, we have tried to simplify every step making it easy for you venture into pomegranate farming. Oxfarm Ag Ltd has come up with a package enable famers venture into the lucrative agribusiness without making losses. The package only requires the farmer to plough the land and Oxfarm establishes the orchard for them.
The package costs Ksh ,000.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN POMEGRANATE PACKAGE?
- Free consultancy
- 200 certified and high-quality pomegranate seedlings
- Labor (measurement and digging of planting holes, soil treatment and testing, planting) (50% discount offered)
- Organic manure (earthlee) equivalent to one bucket of normal manure (30% discount offered)
- Lifetime agronomy support
- Market connection
Marketing
Currently, 90% of pomegranates used to add value to products or sold in the markets are imported. Pomegranates are greatly used in making beauty products. In Kenya, the cosmetic industry imports pomegranate products made from pomegranate seed oil and pomegranate fruit shell. In Kenya, the number of people practicing commercial pomegranate farming is still low. If we embrace pomegranate farming as an economic venture, we would reduce the importation. The market for the fruit is quite high in towns and the international market.
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36 thoughts on “Investing in Pomegranate farming in Kenya”
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The figures you’ve given about sales are they real? Can I plant with other crops or it needs like been or bananas.
Am in kitui and want to venture in pomegranate farming where can I get seed and how long does it take to grow to mature
Hey Paul Nzuki, we have responded directly to your email address. Thank you
I would like to do this farming of parmogranate.
Hello
My email is suwanjeru53@gmail.com
Kindly contact me so we can deliberate on this
Hello, kindly contact us on, 0769623300, or WhatsApp us on https://wa.me/254706222888
Can I farm it in kericho?
I intend to plant pomegranate fruits in Marafa Kilifi County. Do you have any offices in Coast. I also have land at Chepkinoiyo, 20kms from Molo. I don’t know whether it’s ideal for growing pomegranate
I seem to embrace the farming. I can do it between bananas which I can replace once the fruits start production.
How much do you charge per acre to establish the orchard? My land is within Joska area on the outskirts of Nairobi.
good morning we have responded to your email.
Good morning,
Kindly advise if pomegranate can do well in kanwa chuka area in tharaka nithi.
Also advise how long the plant will take before first harvest, if it can grow without irrigation, and the package cost of establishing the 200 plant farm
Also advise the size of land required for 200 seedlings.
How can one get certified seeds?
I am interested.
Hello Ngari,
Kindly contact us on 0769623300, or WhatsApp us using this link https://wa.me/254706222888 to make your orders.
Hello. We are located in Ridgeways off Kiambu Rd close to Acqua Verde villas, Kigwa road.
Oxfarm.co.ke Demo Farm & offices
Nairobi along, Ridgeways Drive, Kigwa Rd, Nairobi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XbVeNCMMscPH6QXD8
But we have branches in Nyeri, Nakuru and Eldoret
Interesting indeed.I definitely want to join the business.Is the offer still on?
Hello Emma.
Kindly contact us on 0769623300, or WhatsApp us using this link https://wa.me/254706222888 to make your orders and for further enquiries.
Am interested in pomegranate farming. Can it do well in Nyandarua (Dundori area)
The part about the package cost has been covered, how much is the package cost?
In need of the ganesh seedlings, how can i get them m. From makueni
I would like to farm pomegranates. Land is in Kiserian/Isinya area. Is this good climate and weather for them
Catherine
Hello Catherine. Yes, pomegranate plants can do well in Kiserian/Isinya area.
Kindly contact us on 0769623300, or WhatsApp us using this link https://wa.me/254706222888 to make your orders.
Can pomegranate tree grow in black cotton soil
Hello Kimani, The plant grows in a wide range of soils, both low-fertile and high-fertile soils. However, it performs best in deep, loamy, and well-drained soils.
Where can I get the seedlings
Hello, Kindly contact us on 0769623300, or WhatsApp us using this link https://wa.me/254706222888 to make your orders. W e have branches in , Nairobi, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Eldoret. And we deliver our seedlings country wide
It would be nice to read some of the replies from oxform.
Am more curious if i plant pomegranate in isinya.
Hello Elizabeth, Yes, pomegranate can do well in Isinya.
Kindly contact us on 0769623300, or WhatsApp us using this link https://wa.me/254706222888 to make your orders.
This is really interesting and would wish to try this pomegranate farming. I am in Tana River county far away from Nairobi. Is possible to benefit from the Oxfarm package without hitches?
Hello Bakari, Yes, it is possible for us to deliver the seedlings to Malindi town then you get them from there.
Kindly contact us on 0769623300, or WhatsApp us using this link https://wa.me/254706222888 to make your orders.
Would love to grow pomegranates in Machakos, which type is the best in terms of early maturity n sweetness and how do I get the certified seeds?
Hello Nancy, we deliver the seedlings country wide. Kindly contact us on 0769623300, for further information.
This is interesting and would like to try this pomegranate farming. I am in Chonyi(Kilifi county). Do you have ofices in Kilifi? Can this tree do well here? How long does it take to maturity. How many trees can occupy one acre? How much do you charge for one acre?
Hello Anderson, we currently do not have offices in Kilifi but we deliver the seedlings country wide. Kindly contact us on 0769623300, for further information.
Interested. Can they do at alttitude of 1833m.?
Hello, Patrick Kihara.
1833m altitude is quite high for the plants to thrive in such a condition.
Hello Mary, Kindly contact us on 0769623300, for further information.