Fredrick Muya Kariuki’s journey in farming started in 2003 in Kamune, Mathioya constituency in Murang’a County.

The farmer has over the years been specializing in organic farming of horticultural crops including Hass avocados, coriander and passion fruits.

Kariuki also grows herbs such as rosemary, lemon grass, mint hibiscus, and vegetables on his 5-acre farm.

The Tamarillo fruit, also known as tree tomato is one of the crops that the farmer has heavily invested in.

With over 1,000 trees, Kariuki grows the Ruby Red variety, which is fast maturing and quite resistant to pests and diseases.

Other varieties include the Ecuadorian orange, Gold mine, Inca gold, Red Oratia, Rothame, Solid Gold, and Yellow and are differentiated by colours ranging from yellow and orange to red and purple.

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“After planting, the fruits ready to be harvested from 9 months but commercially from one year and can be harvested all year long for up to seven years,” he said.

“Each fruit tree produces an average of 60-100 kg of fruits annually, and we sell a kilo locally at Sh200 at the nearby Othaya market and its environs,” Kariuki added.

He notes that tree tomatoes require regular watering but should not be waterlogged. The fruit is susceptible to pests and diseases such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites.

“We use the locally available natural materials to make botanical pesticides like the Sodom apple, Mexican marigold, tigonia, garlic, rice husks, and tobacco,” he said.

“For the fruit white flies, we use cow milk either fresh or fermented (Mala) to get rid of them at the early stages before they become widespread.”

He warns that using synthetic fertilizers make the soil too acidic, and this gives the fruits a bitter, sour taste and subsequent losses.

According to him, harvesting tree tomatoes is done when they develop a rich colour and feel slightly soft to touch.

According to sources, one tree tomato plant produces between 20 and 25 kgs of fruits annually. A kilo of tree tomato fruits sells at between Sh60 to Sh80 depending on the demand in the market.