Strawberries Growing Become Popular in Kenya

Strawberry Farming has become increasingly popular in the recent past in Kenyan rural, urban and peri-urban areas. The fruit plant is a high value export crop which makes a multi-billion dollar business around the world. Strawberries are very juicy health-packed fruits which are eaten whole, in fruit salads, jam, milk shake and smoothie juice. Farming of strawberries in Central Kenya region has traditionally been for export to Europe.

However an equally lucrative market for the strawberry plant leaves which used to be thrown away is emerging as a produce in demand. The leaves are being bought by decorating and florist firms in the major towns around the country. According to a florist from Nairobi the demand for bouquets, which was formerly limited to offices, churches and events, is now expanding to individuals, with demand for flowers for home decorations growing in the recent past. This has caused the demand for the strawberry leaves, an important component of bouquets due to their beautiful shape and sweet scent. Strawberries’

Farming is therefore a perfect opportunity for the youth in Kenya for self employment and livelihood improvement. Strawberries are easy to grow, require little land and perform well in a wide range of temperatures ranging from mild to hot. Basic requirements for strawberry Farming include, water, animal manure or compost, garden tools, recommended pesticides and fungicides, packaging materials and Farming capital. The most popular strawberry varieties grown in Kenya are Chandler and pajero.

Other suitable varieties in Kenya includes Tioga selva,Douglas, Tristar, Domanil, Rabunda and Tribute. The crop grows well in warm to hot climate and does not tolerate freezing. Some main diseases affecting this crop include Fusarium Oxysponium, Botrytis and Fusarium Wilt. Avoid growing strawberry on land where crops susceptible to Verticillium wilt a viral disease controlled through crop rotation, were planted in the preceding season. Such crops are capsicums, okra, tomatoes, and eggplant/brinjals

Strawberries Farming starts with thorough land preparation in order to grow vigorous a crop. A bed raised to 20cm with a width of 1metre by any convenient length should be prepared, and well decomposed manure incorporated into the soil at a rate of one medium bucket per square metre. Then planting holes are made at a spacing of 30cm from row to row and 30cm from plant to plant. In strawberries Farming propagation is done using vegetative material namely splits of the strawberries crown.

 Planting is done after thorough watering of the bed and the roots should be covered but not too deep so as to avoid rotting of the stem.  Mulching is a recommended post planting management practice in strawberries Farming in order to conserve moisture, control weeds and keep strawberries clean. Irrigate daily in the afternoon during the first month after planting for good crop growth, then 2-3 times a week from the second month of Farming of growth onward 

De-blossoming/removal of strawberry flowers is recommended for the first 2 months of growth to avoid premature fruiting, which leads to stunting and poor development of the crop. Harvesting of strawberry fruits starts 2½months - 3months after planting. Thinning to2- 3 splits per crown should be done every 7 months to allow rejuvenation and increase strawberry yields.

Runners and old leaves are removed in strawberries Farming and the practice is named pruning or stripping.  Flowering is continuous with adequate watering and the lifespan of the crop is 3 years. 

During the production period foliar feeds may be applied to plants to boost growth. Practical training on Farming of strawberries and farm planning for best profit is provided to farmers by the Youth agro-environmental Initiative. Training on strawberry Farming is the first step for all serious visionary agribusinesses. Strawberry farming is an expanding industry in Kenya with a great potential for growth. Practical training on strawberry plant cultivation is available. Contact our agriculture professionals at yagrein@gmail.com. 

1. http://kariokor.olx.co.ke/strawberry-training-on-growing-strawberries-farm-planning-for-best-farm-profit-iid-466431013
2. http://yagrein.blogspot.com/p/what-are-youth-saying.html

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Strawberry fruits growing ( Rosaceae)

Strawberry plants are perennial low growing fruiting plants, which produces delicious red fruits. Botanically strawberry plants consist of leaves, a crown, roots, flowers, flower trusses and stolons. The fruits are eaten as desserts or made into jam and may be frozen for latter use. Strawberry roots are found within 7.5-15cm below the ground and can go up to 30cm in light soils such as sandy loamy soils. These plants can be classified according to the photoperiod required to initiate flowering as:-Day neutral plants like Chandler and Douglas with unique ability to flower and fruit under any day length conditions. They are very suitable for growing in tropical regions. Long day plants initiate flowering on availability of light exceeding critical light duration. Short day plants initiate flowering on availability of light equal or less than critical light requirements. Varieties suitable for growing in Kenya include Chandler, Douglas, Tri-Star, Domanil, Rabunda, and Tribute.Warm to temperate climates are required for this crop in addition to well drained loam soils that are  moist throughout .Optimum soil pH is  slightly acidic to neutral i.e. 6.5-7.Plants grown in highly acidic soils tend to exhibit iron deficiency. Salinity should be low both in soil and irrigation water as strawberry plants are sensitive to salts and therefore should not be grown in saline soils.Soil analysis is recommended before planting

High salt levels cause stunting, marginal leaf scorch and severe yield reduction. Enough water should be applied to ensure that salts are leached below the root zone. Availability of suitable varieties and clean sowing materials is essential for success of strawberry fruits cultivation. In preparation of strawberry cultivation it is important for the grower to undertake soil analysis to determine soil acidity/alkalinity, the level of plants nutrients and also soil born diseases such as verticilium wilt. Field preparation involves making beds 1m wide and raised to a height 20-30cm.A path of 50cm separates the beds to allow carrying out of operations. Alternatively sowing can be done into the field at a spacing of 50 cm from row to row and 30cm from hole to hole. Well decomposed manure is incorporated into the bed to a depth of at least 30cm. DAP or other compound fertilizers are applied at the rate of 200kg per ha and incorporated 15cm along the rows. Apply topdressing CAN fertilizer after 4 weeks at a rate of 10g around the crown compound fertilizers after 2 months. Subsequent application is necessary every 3 months. Application of foliar feed can supplement but to a lesser extent. Well rotted manure or compost should also be applied. For nematodes infested soils appropriate nematicides should be applied according to instructions of experts. Strawberry fruits are propagated through vegetative methods. This is accomplished using runners or splits of the crown. Growing strawberry is preceded by thorough bed watering, followed by sowing the crown with the root zone just below the soil surface. Shallow sowing leaves the roots inadequately covered and likely to dry.

Too deep sowing leads to rotting of the stem. Unpack plants and soak in water for 10 minutes, then sow as soon as possible. The roots should be spread out with the crowns at the ground level, and plants firmed up well for good growth. For 1m wide bed 3 rows can be grown at a spacing of 30cm from row to row and 30cm from hole to hole. Cut off runners from plants regularly except those needed for sowing. One or two runners can be rooted from each hole for the next sowing. De-blossom/remove flowers for the first 1-2 months until the strawberry establishes to prevent premature fruits production, poor crop growth, and early crop exhaustion leading to low fruits yield. Renew strawberry fruits plot every 3 years and practice crop rotation for vigorous growth. Keep the plot weed free with shallow light hoeing to avoid damage to the plants roots. Mulching with straw or black polythene is recommended. Strawberry fruits mature 24-40 days after flower initiation depending on the growth temperature. The fruits bruise easily and should be picked with care and sold the same day. Packing of the strawberry fruits is in punnets. Expected yields per acre of strawberry fruits over 3 years are estimated at:-

• 1^st Year 10,000 kg
• 2^nd Year 7,500 kg
• 3^rd Year 5,000 kg

Chemical disease and pest control in strawberry fruit growing can be minimized by cutting and burning all the leaves from the plants after harvesting for two years. Then apply water and nitrogenous fertilizers. This will control some diseases and result in new clean growth.For more  
http://journalofkenyanhorticulture.blogspot.com/2012/05/production-of-strawberry.html
http://www.qldstrawberries.com.au/data/gross_margin_2006.htm
http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/ir/handle/123456789/3780
http://www.hortinews.co.ke/article.php?id=321

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Lucrative strawberries farming in Kenya

KINDLY CALL 0729604096 TO BUY STRAWBERRY SEEDLINGS

Strawberry gardening is a multi-billion dollar business around the world.The fruit is a high value crop in Kenya for export and local market. Strawberries are very juicy health-packed fruits which can be eaten whole, made into fruit salads , jam,Milk shake and smoothie juice. Gardening of strawberries by farmers  in Central Kenya region has traditionally been for export to Europe. However an equally lucrative market for the strawberry leaves which used to be thrown away is likely to emerge .

To order a copy of our Strawberry Farming Manual 
Contact-Email yagrein@gmail.com

Strawberry Leaves

Potted Strawberry plant

There is potential for the leaves to be bought by decorating  florist firms in the major towns around the country. According to a florist from Nairobi the demand for bouquets, which was formerly limited to offices, churches and events, is now expanding to individuals, with demand for home flowers and decorations growing in the recent past. This is causing the  demand for the strawberry leaves, which are an important component of the bouquets due to their beautiful shape . Strawberries’ gardening is  a golden opportunity particularly for the youth in Kenya for self employment and livelihood improvement . Strawberries are easy to grow, require minimal land and thrive well in a wide range of temperatures ranging from mild to hot. Basic requirements for strawberry gardening include, water, compost or farm yard manure, garden shears, garden spades, Garden Trowels, Planting material, Rot tillers and Shovels ,recommended pesticides and fungicides, produce packaging materials and capital.Strawberry varieties suitable for growing in Kenya include Chandler, Douglas(Two most popular varieties),  Tioga selva,Tristar, Domanil, Rabunda,pajaro and Tribute.The crop grows well in warm to hot climate and does not tolerate freezing. Some main diseases affecting the crop include Fusarium Oxysponium, Botrytis and Fusarium Wilt.
 

Strawberry Grown in Bags

Avoid growing strawberry on land where the following crops were planted the previous season, due to susceptibility to Verticillium wilt a viral disease controlled through crop rotation only.

Tomatoes, capsicums, Eggplant/brinjals, okra

Strawberries gardening starts with thorough land preparation in order to raise a vigorous crop. A bed raised to 15cm with a width of 1metre by any convenient length should be prepared, and well decomposed manure incorporated into the soil at a rate of one medium bucket per square metre. Then planting holes are made at a spacing of 30cm from row to row and 30cm from plant to plant. In strawberries gardening propagation is done using vegetative material namely splits of the strawberries crown. Planting is done after thorough watering of the bed and  the roots be are well covered but not too deep so as to prevent rotting of the stem.  Mulching is a recommended post planting management practice in strawberries gardening in order to conserve moisture, control weeds and keep strawberries clean. Irrigate daily in the afternoon during the first month after planting for good crop establishment and 2-3 times a week from the second month of gardening onwards.De-blossoming and removal of strawberry flowers is recommended for the first 2 months to avoid premature fruiting, which may lead to stunting and poor development of the crop.

Harvesting of strawberry fruits starts 2½months -3months after planting. Thinning to 2- 3 splits per crown should be done every 7 months to allow rejuvenation and increase strawberry yields. Runners and old leaves are removed in strawberries gardening in a practice called pruning or stripping.  Flowering is continuous with adequate watering with a pause in the cold season.The lifespan of the crop is 3 years.During the gardening period foliar feeds may be applied to boost the yields. Rooting media or enzymes which include plantone, Anatone¹, Anatone( a broad spectrum for roots, flower stimulation and fruit retention) may enhance strawberry plant establishment. Tie the top end of the cuttings, then dip strawberries cuttings into the enzyme solution  for 42 hrs. Put fertile soil into plastic bags and plant the cuttings ensuring two nodes are below the soil level, then water frequently.Seeking knowledge on gardening  of strawberries is a necessary step during the planning period. Information on strawberry gardening is required for all serious visionary agribusinesses, as a mistake made cannot be corrected before 3 years are over . Strawberry cultivation is an expanding industry in Kenya with  great potential for growth.  

Our Products and Services 

We offer the following products and services at affordable fees.

1. Agribusiness plans preparation
2. Agribusiness information e-manuals

AGRIBUSINESS PLANS PREPARATION

An Agribusiness Plan is the road-map to success in any farming business. An Agribusiness Plan preparation is therefore crucial for success of any farming business. This is the document which will support your agribusiness to grow, seek funding from financial institutions , and monitor performance over a period of time for continuous improvement. Agribusiness plan is a management tool which will help you to avoid expensive mistakes in your farming business. FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL. MAKE SURE YOU PREPARE AN AGRIBUSINESS PLAN BEFORE STARTING YOUR FARMING BUSINESS.The other important milestone is to get the right technical information.
 

AGRIBUSINESS INFORMATION E-MANUALS

a)       Watermelon farming e-manual 

b)       Dairy Farming e-manual

c)       Passion fruit farming e-manual

d)      Strawberry farming e-manual

g)      Tomatoes farming e-manual

h)      Capsicum farming e-manual

i)       Greenhouse farming e-manual

j)       Oyster mushroom Farming e-manual

k)      Tissue culture Bananas farming e-manual

l)       Upland arrowroot, Cassava, Sweet potatoes and yams e-manual

m)    Poultry Broilers, layers and improved indigenous/ Kienyeji e-manual

n)    Value addition and Agro-processing e-manual:The e-manual contains Manufacture of Fruit juices, yogurt, Fruit Jam, Small scale ice-cream making ,Tomato sauce processing, bread baking & cakes baking, cake decoration, vegetable solar drying,  Banana crisps and flour processing, cassava fermenting and flour processing, Soya milk and peanut butter processing.    

Email yagrein@gmail.com for more information

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