Last updated on March 2nd, 2024 at 05:53 pm
Mango is a delicious fruit that has been enjoyed by people all over the world. It comes in different sizes, shapes and colors. Mango farming in Kenya can be a lucrative business venture if done right but there are some challenges that you need to consider before starting this kind of farming.
Cost of starting mango farming in Kenya
The cost of land for mango farming in Kenya is Ksh. 30,000 per acre, which is quite affordable. The cost of planting trees depends on the type of tree you want to plant, but it will be less than Ksh. 100 per tree.
The maintenance costs include fertilizers, pesticides and even labor costs if you don’t have enough time to do everything yourself. The harvesting process requires several operators who can pick up ripe fruits from trees using baskets or nets depending on what kind of fruit it is (stone fruits). You’ll also need a vehicle that carries these baskets to market so you can sell them there or somewhere else depending on where your market is located.
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Benefits and nutrients of mango farming in Kenya
Mango is a tropical fruit that belongs to the genus Mangifera, family Anacardiaceae. It is native to India and Southeast Asia, but there are many varieties of mangoes grown around the world today. It can be eaten raw or cooked in recipes such as chutneys and jams.
Mangoes are rich in vitamin A, C and potassium; they also contain fiber and calcium which help maintain healthy bones while lowering cholesterol levels in the body. They contain antioxidants that help fight cancer cells as well as heart disease by reducing blood pressure levels while improving circulation throughout your body
Suitable places in kenya to grow mangoes
Suitable places in kenya to grow mangoes are in high altitude areas, high rainfall areas and high temperature areas.
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Preparing, Planting, and Caring for mango trees
Preparing the land
The first step in mango farming is preparing your land for planting. You should do this by removing all weeds, stones, and other unwanted materials from the area where you plan on growing your trees. Next, break up any large clumps of soil with a pickaxe or shovel so that water can penetrate deeper into the ground. If necessary, add some fertilizer (either organic or chemical) to help improve the nutrients in your soil before planting anything else into it.
If you’re planting a mango tree, dig a hole about twice as wide and deep as the root ball of your tree. The soil should be loose and well-drained, but not too dry or wet. If you don’t have any good soil lying around, consider purchasing some from a local nursery.
Once you’ve planted your mango tree, water it well and allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. This helps prevent any diseases or pests from spreading.
Climatic and soil conditions mango farming in kenya
Mango trees are tropical fruits, which means they grow best in warm climates. They need sandy soils with good drainage and grow best in areas where there is high humidity and rainfall. During the growing season, mango trees need a lot of water to produce fruit so it’s important to plant them near a body of water or a stream or river so you can easily access it for irrigation purposes.
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Varieties of mangoes in suitable to plant in kenya
There are many varieties of mangoes in Kenya. However, not all are suitable for planting. Mango varieties that are suitable to plant in Kenya include:
- Alphonso
- Ataulfo
- Honey Gold
- Kent (a hybrid)
- Keitt (a hybrid)
The following are some of the factors you should consider when choosing a variety:
The size of the fruit. The taste and flavor. The tree size and shape. The time it takes to ripen.
Market size and Opportunities for mango farming in Kenya
Mango farming is a profitable business to venture into. The market for mangoes in Kenya is large and growing every year, with many opportunities for small scale farmers to earn from it. There are many varieties of mangoes that you can choose from depending on the season, location and soil conditions of your farm.
How and When to harvest your mangoes for market
Harvesting your mangoes for market is a crucial part of the farming process. Mango trees produce fruit in cycles, so it’s important to know when each batch of fruit will be ready for harvest in order to maximize profits and avoid waste.
The best time to harvest your mangoes depends on several factors: the type of mango tree you have planted, how much space you have available, whether or not there are other trees nearby (you don’t want competition), as well as personal preference and taste preferences among potential buyers.
If you’re growing an umbrella variety tree such as Kent or Langra and don’t mind waiting until next year before picking any fruit from it again then harvesting during summer months would be ideal because these trees tend not only grow faster but also bear fruit earlier than some other varieties do–this means more opportunities over time!
If you are growing a dwarf variety tree, however, then it’s best not to harvest during summer months because these trees tend not only grow slower but also bear fruit later on in the year–this means fewer opportunities over time!
Challenges and Solutions for mango farming in
- Challenges of mango farming in Kenya
Mango farming is a profitable enterprise, but it is not without its challenges. One of the biggest issues that Kenyan farmers face is access to markets and distribution channels for their produce. This can be a challenge for any farmer, but it’s especially difficult when you’re dealing with perishable goods like fruits and vegetables. If you don’t have somewhere safe to store your stock until buyers come around looking for it–and preferably someone who knows what they’re doing at the market–then there’s no point in growing anything at all!
Another common problem faced by mango farmers in Kenya is poor weather conditions during certain seasons which can lead to low yields or even complete crop failure if rains are delayed too long after planting time or if there are too many rainy days early on before harvest time arrives later on down south where most people live near beaches rather than mountains..
Conclusion
In conclusion, mango farming in Kenya is a profitable venture that can be enjoyed by the farmer and his family. The process of planting and caring for mango trees is simple, but the rewards can be great. With proper planning on when to harvest your crops, you will have an abundance of fruit at your fingertips which will help ensure you continue with this kind of farming in the future
