Davis Munene is the co-founder of Valley Green Farm Limited, a strawberry farm located in Karati in Naivasha, Nakuru County.

The farmer revealed he started strawberry farming in 2012, inspired by the fact that the fruit fetches good profits compared to many fruits, and its prices are stable in the market.

”We raised 400,000/- as partners on the onset, but we have progressively pumped in extra to run the farm. We are currently doing farm expansion into 5 acres of strawberry land, and we are raising around sh5,000,000 for the same,’’ said Munene.

He admitted that, unlike other crops, strawberries are demanding, given the high level of cleanliness and disease and pest control mechanisms required.

He notes that from an ½ acre of land, he plants 6000 strawberry plants which produces 400g per plant, per production cycle. The fruit has four months of production cycle.

”50 percent of the harvest is grade 1, which are sold in punnets of 250g at sh150 each. 40 percent are grade 2 which are used in making jams. 10 percent are rejects. Subsequent harvest cycles lead to good profits,’’ he adds.

Munene notes that their biggest expenses are on wages, fertilizers, land rent, and packaging materials, with the total cost accounting for 40 percent of their total revenues.

They require very high standards of cleanliness -Gitonga Musa on starting a Strawberry farm

He sells his produce to both individuals and institutions, including groceries, hotels & resorts, supermarkets, and dairy creameries.

”We use 40 percent of the harvest (2nd grades) to make high fruit content and reduced sugar jams and ice cream toppings. Revenues are way better than that of selling fresh fruits.’’ Munene explains.

Among the challenges he has encountered in the venture include diseases, flower abortions, delayed or stagnant growths, pests, unfaithful customers, and harassment from the city council, among others.

”For the jams and ice cream toppings, we have had to adhere to KEBS standards act (CAP 496 of the law of Kenya). We had to meet KS 05-139 Kenya Standards Specifications for jams, jellies, and marmalades.’’

He adds that despite being demanding, strawberry farming is very profitable, and its market is growing at a fast pace as middle and high-class Kenyans have started to realize its health benefits.