Strawberries can grow in almost every part of our country provided there is. While it is not recommended for distribution to farming population, the manual will be. Plasticulture production requires a higher initial. The estimated total strawberry production in kenya. Area harvested, at 49,300 acres, was down 1 percent from last year. Strawberry how to acquire strawberry seeds in kenya.
In 2018, the production of strawberries in china amounted to 2. Renovation, fertility, and disease and insect control also are important if production is to be pro. Despite his law education level and the frustrations that. On the following page you see ones made of polystyrene. On his fathers quarter acre piece of land in the rural town of thika, kenya, he ventured into strawberry farming, planting 500 strawberry plants. I decided to venture into strawberry farming because it is the easiest crop to do for. The information contained on this booklet is based on research and field observation and we have made our every effort to ensure that the. Strawberry gardening is a multibillion dollar business around the world.
Strawberry production is simple, but a few mistakes can make it the most annoying and regrettable agricultural venture. Strawberry production in soilless culture systems article pdf available in acta horticulturae 481481. Armed with a strong broadcast media background in news and tv production, we unite as. Nowadays, strawberry production on elevated bench is getting popular among strawberry farmers. Production, physicochemical and nutritional quality, and major products 367 nirmal k. Our plants will grow faster, establish a good root system quicker and typically bear fruit sooner. Offtrade retail volume of strawberry juice drinks in the uk 200820. Noling, and sriyanka lahiri 2 this is chapter 16 of the vegetable production handbook of florida, 20192020 edition. Eunice, a member of ruiru dam women group hails from kabaa village in. Strawberry production in japan is mostly done in green houses. Indiana berry online store bare root strawberry plants. The strawberry plant was initially a temperate zone plant but has adapted well to the warmer regions.
After that, the ministry gave them sh100,000 as seed. The market is very big since production is not widespread. However, production in kenya has been declining and rono 1995 suggests. Apricots production, processing, and nutrition 385. Update 31 we had a response from a seed supplier in kenya. Growers must know the physiological needs of the crop, proper cultural practices, and identification and control of insects, diseases, weeds, and pests. This production summary provides an overview of strawberry growing, harvesting, and post harvesting practices. Strawberry industry strawberry production according to vegetables report released sept 6, 2012 by the national agricultural statistics service nass, u. Pdf strawberry production in soilless culture systems. Location of the five leading strawberry producing counties in california 4. Strawberry production in south america article pdf available in acta horticulturae 708708. The fruit is a high value crop in kenya for export and local market. The strawberry growing master manual strawberry plants.
The university of floridas institute of food and agricultural sciences ufifas is a federalstatecounty partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. It all started in 2008 when gathoni and her womens group were trained in strawberry farming by officers from the ministry of agriculture. What this means is that there is a huge market out there for the fruits. The crop thrives in hot climate and it does badly in frost or extremely low temperatures.
The production spread to other areas of poblacion, puguis, pico and wangal. As a matter of fact kenyan farmers are reluctant to venture into strawberry farming because the strawberry industry in kenya is not very developed. Strawberry farming is a multibillion dollar business around the world. The most common type of strawberry is that of the fragaria genus. Organic strawberry production systems generally share five common characteristics, described in the strawberry production guide for the northeast, midwest, and eastern canada, nraes88. A 18th piece of land can produce between 30kg and 50kg of strawberries per week and each kilo goes for about ksh200 at the current market price. How to practice strawberry farming in kenya zakenya. Until recently, summerlong production of strawberries in the eastern united states was limited to backyard gardens.
There is a high demand for the strawberry leaves, which are an important component of bouquets due to their beautiful shape and sweet scent. The fruit is a high value crop for export and local market, though the export market has not been exploited in kenya due to limited supplies. By malachi motano john mutwiri is a school dropout who tastes the sweet success of strawberry farming. In 2009, there were 180 cooperatives involved in milk production and marketing in the entire nation, accounting for only 2 percent of the total number of agrobased cooperatives operating in various parts of the country. List the top strawberry producing regions in the u. How to start strawberry farming in kenya nigeria strawberry farming in kenya nigeria at the moment is still an untapped goldmine. Kindly note that straw berry farming is very lucrative. Out plants are bigger, healthier and maintained better prior to shipping than discount chains plants.
Top quality plants for professional growers and homeowners. Yet it is still a favorite in other regions for its tough plant and firm, durable fruit with excellent red color inside and out. And even with just a few stocking this delicious fruits, supermarkets still remain the biggest strawberry market in kenya. Strawberries are a high value crop in the united states. Strawberry fragaria spp is grown for its fruits which are widely appreciated for their bright red colour, aroma, sweetness and juicy texture. Strawberry production scenario in india strawberry fragaria vesca is an important fruit crop of india and its commercial production is possible in temperate and subtropical areas of the country. The manual was produced as a collaborative effort between several central coast resource conservation districts rcds. He sells to brokers at a price of ksh 150 per kg pocketing over ksh 22,000 a week. Because not many people engage in strawberry farming in kenya, the crop is scarce, which makes it expensive guaranteeing good returns for farmers. In 1960 the usda reported that the annual texas strawberry production increased. The recommended substrate is coconut fiber or a mixture of peat and perlite. Identify the most common farming practices used in the production of strawberries. Fertilizer application rates to strawberries in california 7.
Selekta, a large fruited strawberry, is the most important cultivar in the transvaal whilst the high yielding tiobelle is preferred in the western cape. Strawberries are generally grown in kentucky using the perennial matted row system of production. Quality of strawberries in the tropics is partly limited by poor soil fertility, while profitability of different. You wont find a better deal on this much strawberry information anywhere. The swamp area of betag became the experimental and demonstration farms for strawberries. At that time, texas was one of three states growing early. Kentucky growers are adopting the annual plasticulture production system, and a separate profile is available.
Strawberry seedling production and delivery in nairobi, kenya. As with everything else, anything that promises great returns requires a great investment. Strawberries gardening is a golden opportunity for the youth in kenya for selfemploymentand livelihood improvement. It is because they need to control the temperature, water and other conditions to produce higher quality strawberries. Regional production today, strawberries are primarily produced along the coast from santa cruz in the north to ventura county in the south figure 3. Now assuming your small farm produces 50kgs per week then that means you can make ksh40,000 per month using only a very small portion of your land. Its cultivation has become popular throughout the world. Breeding for new varieties which can be grown under wide range of climate has been done. Curiosity leads farmer into successful strawberry farming. The strawberry varieties suitable for growing in kenya include chandler, domanil, pajaro douglas, tioga selva, rabunda, tristar and tribute.
Lucrative strawberries farming in kenya agroenvironment. The hanging gutter system was adapted to local conditions and tried across the world. Meet peter, grew from 500 to 6,000 strawberry plants youtube. It is very adaptable hence grows in many regions in kenya. Several years elapse between successive strawberry crops.
Strawberry farming greenlife crop protection africa. Robert is one of the farmers who are enjoying the strawberryflavoured cash. Smart farming technologies cc strawberry farming in. Variety, selection, weed control, frost control, and winter protection are of particular importance. Strawberry production is complex, and intensive management is needed to produce a successful commercial crop. Problems which are encountered are botrytis rot, nematodes, verticillium wilt and leaf diseases. Strawberry farm experience in kenya top media group. Strawberries are very juicy healthpacked fruits which can be eaten whole, made into fruit salads, jam,milk shake and smoothie juice. It is a desire of many youths in kenya, that upon completing their education.