Strawberry farming in Kenya is a goldmine waiting to be tapped, with the potential to boost your financial fortunes faster than you might think. It’s a perennial crop that’s relatively easy to manage, and if you pay close attention to just a few key steps, you’ll see impressive results by the end of the season.
How to Approach Strawberry Farming in Kenya
Strawberry farming, like any other investment, requires careful planning and a strategic approach. It’s crucial to select the right piece of land and time your planting season correctly. Additionally, having the appropriate chemicals on hand to protect your crop from pests and diseases is essential for success.
Capital Outlay (Estimates)
It is important that you have adequate capital beforehand to enable you run an optimal farm. A rough draft the requirements for a 1/8-th acre plot (open-field cultivation) would be as follows:
| Item | Quantity | Amount in Ksh (Estimate) |
| Land (lease) | 1/8 acre | 6,000 per year |
| Seedlings (3000 seedlings) | 1250 @ 25 | 31,000 |
| Soil test | 5000 | 5,000 |
| Chemicals | 390×10 | 3,900 |
| Watering | – | 20,000 |
| Labour | 360×50 Days | 18,000 |
| Farm Set Up | – | 50,000 |
| Manure | – | 5,000 |
| Fertilizer: DAP & CAN | 10KG @ 1400, 10KG @700 | 2,100 |
| Miscellaneous | – | 10,000 |
| Total | – | Ksh151,000 |
PS: You can cut this cost by opting for cheaper methods of irrigation e.g., watering cans, using own labour, using organic chemicals prepared at home etc.
Choice of Variety
The first step is picking the right variety of strawberries. The variety you choose should be of high quality and resistant to diseases. “Chandler” is a top pick for many farmers due to its high productivity and resilience.
Site Selection
Strawberries thrive best in cooler highland areas. Your soil should be well-drained, with a pH between 6 and 6.2, and an adequate water supply. Whether you opt for traditional open-field farming, vertical farming, or greenhouses depends on your budget and resources.
Planting
Once you’ve selected your site and variety, source certified strawberry seedlings from a reliable, KEPHIS-accredited supplier. If you’re planting in an open field, prepare the land by raising beds about 15 cm above ground level, spaced 1 meter apart. Dig holes big enough to accommodate the roots of the seedlings, ensuring that the plant’s crown is level with the soil.
Plant at a rate of 5,000 to 10,000 plants per acre, with spacing of 30-45 cm between plants and 45-60 cm between rows. After planting, water thoroughly and continue watering at least three times a week.
Consider using plasticulture, where the soil in raised beds is covered with plastic sheets punched at intervals for planting, with an irrigation system underneath. This method helps control weeds, reduces the need for herbicides, prevents soil erosion, and produces cleaner fruits.
Pests and Diseases
Strawberries are vulnerable to fungal diseases like verticillium root rot and gray mold, which can be mitigated by planting resistant varieties and keeping rows narrow. Insect pests such as aphids, spider mites, strawberry bud weevils, cutworms, and crown borers can be managed with appropriate chemicals like Malathion and Dimethoate. Maintaining field hygiene is also crucial to keeping these pests at bay.
Strawberry Harvesting
Your strawberries will be ready to harvest 10-12 weeks after flowering (approximately 60 to 90 days upon planting the seedlings). Ripe berries should be picked by hand, taking care not to damage the delicate fruit. It’s essential to avoid picking unripe strawberries, as they won’t ripen after being harvested.
Regularly harvesting 2-3 times a week encourages continuous fruiting, and the number of ripe fruits will increase after about five days of harvesting. Once picked, store your strawberries in a cool, dry place or refrigerate them to maintain their freshness.
With good management, strawberry yields can reach up to 8 tonnes per acre per season. Even a small plot of 1/8 acre can bring in well over Ksh 300,000 per season. The farmgate price per kilo is Ksh500 to Ksh600. There are 2 harvesting seasons in a year.
PS: Strawberry plants can produce fruit for 5 to 6 years according to a gardening article by the BBC. That said, production tends to plummet after the first two years.
Marketing
Finding a market for your strawberries is crucial, and it’s wise to secure buyers even before your crop is ready for harvest. Fresh strawberries are highly perishable and should be sold quickly to maintain their quality. You can sell directly to consumers at farmers’ markets or to grocery stores, restaurants, and food processors like Tuzo, Green Spoon, and Zesta.
Effective marketing strategies, including advertising, promotion, and attractive packaging, can help you reach more customers and boost your sales.
Conclusion
In conclusion, strawberry farming in Kenya is not only profitable but also sustainable. By following these six steps, you can position yourself for success in this thriving industry. Whether you’re starting small or going big, the potential for growth and profit is immense.
Need someone to hold your hand as you start your strawberry farming venture? The mentors on Bizsasa are always on hand to help. Also, if you need other interesting business ideas don’t hesitate to checkout our latest publication featuring 100 best business ideas in the country.
Happy farming!
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With a BSc in Agricultural Biotechnology, Dennis is a results-oriented author who draws extensively from his farm management experience. When he’s not working on the farm or contributing to the Bizsasa platform, he enjoys watching soccer with friends.
Well explained.
I have an interest in strawberry farming