6 STRAWBERRY - 6.00 - PLANNING INFORMATION

 
ORGANIC FARMING CURSE AGRO-ECONOMY
6 STRAWBERRY - 6.00 - PLANNING INFORMATION

Strawberries are not native to Kenya, but they have become an important crop due to their potential for export and local consumption. The Kenyan government has identified strawberry production as one of the key areas for investment as part of its efforts to diversify its agriculture sector. With a growing middle class looking for healthier food choices, there is also an increasing demand for fresh strawberries among consumers.
Knowing when to harvest strawberries is crucial for achieving the best taste and highest yields. In Kenya, the best time to harvest strawberries is during the dry season when there is less rain and humidity, usually between December and February. During this period, the berries are sweeter, juicier, and have a longer shelf life.
 
It’s important to pick the strawberries when they are fully ripe but still firm. Over-ripe strawberries tend to spoil quickly, while under-ripe berries lack flavour.
 
Kenya has a growing market for fresh produce both locally and internationally, with an increasing demand for high-quality fruits like strawberries. One way to market fresh strawberries locally is by working with supermarkets, restaurants, hotels or food processing companies that have a ready market for fresh produce.
 
Farmers can also explore direct sales avenues such as farmer’s markets or roadside stalls. For international markets, farmers must meet high-quality standards set by various certification bodies such as Global GAP or Fairtrade International.
 
A 1/8th piece of land can produce between 30kg and 50kg of strawberries per week and each kilo goes for about Ksh400 at the current market price. Now assuming your small farm produces 50Kgs per week then that means you can make Ksh80,000 per month using only a very small portion of your land.
Our work mainly is to set up the project for aspiring farmers who want to venture in strawberry farming we set up the seedlings offer agronomical support , and spraying programs.
 

 
KILIMO HAI CHALAANI KILIMO-UCHUMI
6 STRAWBERRY - 6.00 - TAARIFA ZA KUPANGA
Jordgubbar si asili ya Kenya, lakini imekuwa zao muhimu kutokana na uwezo wao wa kuuza nje na matumizi ya ndani. Serikali ya Kenya imebainisha uzalishaji wa strawberry kama mojawapo ya maeneo muhimu ya uwekezaji kama sehemu ya juhudi zake za kuleta mseto wa sekta yake ya kilimo. Kukiwa na tabaka la kati linalokua likitafuta chaguo bora za chakula, pia kuna ongezeko la mahitaji ya jordgubbar safi miongoni mwa watumiaji.
Kujua wakati wa kuvuna jordgubbar ni muhimu kwa kupata ladha bora na mavuno ya juu zaidi. Nchini Kenya, wakati mzuri wa kuvuna jordgubbar ni wakati wa kiangazi wakati kuna mvua kidogo na unyevu, kwa kawaida kati ya Desemba na Februari. Katika kipindi hiki, matunda ni tamu, yenye juisi, na maisha ya rafu ndefu.
Ni muhimu kuchagua jordgubbar wakati zimeiva lakini bado ni thabiti. Jordgubbar zilizoiva zaidi huharibika haraka, wakati matunda ya chini hayana ladha.
Kenya ina soko linalokua la mazao mapya ndani na nje ya nchi, huku kukiwa na ongezeko la mahitaji ya matunda ya ubora wa juu kama vile jordgubbar. Njia moja ya kuuza jordgubbar mbichi ndani ya nchi ni kufanya kazi na maduka makubwa, mikahawa, hoteli au kampuni za usindikaji wa chakula ambazo zina soko tayari la mazao mapya.
Wakulima wanaweza pia kuchunguza njia za mauzo ya moja kwa moja kama vile masoko ya wakulima au maduka ya kando ya barabara. Kwa masoko ya kimataifa, wakulima lazima wafikie viwango vya ubora wa juu vilivyowekwa na mashirika mbalimbali ya uthibitishaji kama vile Global GAP au Fairtrade International.
Sehemu ya 1/8 ya ardhi inaweza kuzalisha kati ya kilo 30 na 50 za jordgubbar kwa wiki na kila kilo huenda kwa takriban Ksh400 kwa bei ya sasa ya soko. Sasa ikizingatiwa kuwa shamba lako dogo hutoa 50Kgs kwa wiki basi hiyo inamaanisha unaweza kutengeneza Ksh80,000 kwa mwezi kwa kutumia sehemu ndogo sana ya ardhi yako.