How to Earn Millions From Egg Plant Farming in Kenya
How to Earn Millions From Egg Plant Farming in Kenya
How to Earn Millions From Egg Plant Farming in Kenya
In Kenya, farming provides a stable source of income while maintaining family food security. The country’s good climate makes it possible to grow a wide variety of crops for both domestic use and export.
Some crops offer more manageable and profitable possibilities because they mature more quickly. For instance, one such crop that can be grown, sold locally, or even exported is eggplants.A farmer from Meru County named James Mwenda discussed his experience switching from growing bananas to specializing in eggplant production.
The teenage farmer successfully raises eggplants on his half-acre “biriganya” plot of land, producing an estimated Ksh130,000 in monthly income. Additionally, he ships this stuff to Egypt, where a carton might sell for anywhere between Ksh300 and Ksh700.
In a previous interview, he said, “In a week, I collect at least three times a day, and I’ve picked about 120 cartons so far.The form and color of the eggplants, which are very popular in the local market, among other things, affect their market price.Another farmer from Uasin Gishu, Joseph Mumira, also takes advantage of the high season in December by selling eggplants for Ksh10 each.On his half-acre plot, he grows around 200 eggplants, spending Ksh200 to buy the seeds, which are first planted in a nursery bed before being moved to the main farm.
Dealing with pests, particularly spider mites that eat on the plant’s leaves, is one of the biggest obstacles in growing eggplant, the farmer claims.Eggplants are primarily grown in Kenya between June and December, with the harvest season lasting from October to May to allow exports. Eggplants are originally from India and Bangladesh.Different eggplant cultivars, such as the Florida high bush, ravaya, long purple, and early long purple, are grown in Kenya.
Guidelines and Requirements
As warm-season crops, eggplants can tolerate minimum temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures as high as 34 degrees Celsius.
The ideal temperature range for optimal growth falls between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius.Successful eggplant farming necessitates well-draining sandy loam soil, maintaining a pH level within the recommended range of 5.5 to 6.5.
To enhance drainage and encourage root development, the practice of ridging is often advised by agricultural experts.During the planting process, seeds are initially prepared in rows spaced 10cm apart within a seed bed. After a span of 8 to 10 days, the young seedlings are transplanted into a field that has been properly fertilised and is consistently moist.”Thoroughly water seedlings 12 to 14 hours before transplanting to the field. Transplanting should be done in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day in order to minimise transplanting shock,” Farmers Trend advises.
In order to assure the best fruit quality, picking of eggplants is often done up to twice a week. Eggplants typically take 60 to 90 days from planting to produce mature fruits.Farmers are urged to use tactics including crop rotation, mixed cropping, and the use of neem-based treatments to effectively control pests.
