Pineapple farming in Kenya has become a lucrative source of income for upcoming agribusiness investors.
The tropical crop is mainly grown in the coastal region, specifically in Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita Taveta, thanks to the warm and humid climate, which is ideal for pineapple farming.
John Magaiwa, a farmer in Mabera Sub County in Kuria, Migori County, says that the venture has not been fully exploited, making it lucrative.
On his farm, Magaiwa grows the cayenne variety, one of the most popular pineapple varieties grown around the world.
The variety is high-yielding and has a sweet taste compared to other varieties. Magaiwa practices pure organic farming with manure from his cows, goats, and poultry.
“I opted for organic manure, which I purchase at Sh2000 per tipper. It is much cheaper and lasts longer in the soil. It also conserves my soil fertility,” he says.
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He has been using ash to control nematodes as a traditional bacterial control method, which greatly reduces his production cost.
The farmer also uses dish soap to prevent pests like scale insects and aphids that cause pineapple leaves to turn yellow and wither.
“Intercropping is the best practice for ensuring regular weeding in pineapples, but the crops being intercropped should be of lower or the same height as the pineapple plant itself,” Magaiwa added.
He notes that the biggest challenge in pineapple farming is the outsourcing of seedlings, an expensive affair in terms of purchase that tends to discourage the majority of willing farmers.
“I was forced to source pineapple suckers from small-scale farmers in the region as well as travel all the way to Geita in Tanzania, where the majority of farmers grow pineapple,” he revealed.
The fruits take between eight and 12 months to mature and only require average rainfall.
He sells his produce both in the local and international markets, thanks to the high demand. On average, Magaiwa sells the pineapple at between Sh100 and Sh170, depending on the size. He now plans to expand the farm to at least 20 acres.
