ORANGE FARMING IN KENYA
Orange Farming in Kenya is one of the most popular fruits here in Kenya. There is hardly a house in the country that does not consume oranges.
The demand for oranges in all parts of the country, especially in the cities, is still very high, making the commercial cultivation of oranges in Kenya a profitable agribusiness to consider.
A good thing about this company is that the planting is done only once and then the whole harvest. This continuous harvest of oranges is a way to earn a steady income.
What are Pixie Oranges - Orange Farming in Kenya
Pixie orange cultivation is a very profitable Agro-Industry, mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country. In Kenya, demand is relatively high, while supply is still low. Pixie fruits are orange-yellow, seedless, easy to peel, tasty and very nutritious. The pixie fruit market is vast. In Kenya, we still have to satisfy the local market as well as the export market.
Why Venture Into Orange Pixie-Orange Farming in Kenya?
Pixie oranges continue to be very popular with Kenyan consumers. Indeed, this variety of oranges is much sweeter than the juiciest regular large oranges and has a very strong orange flavor. In fact, if you cut an orange pixie in one room, its refreshing scent will call someone from the next room. Farmers have realized the huge opportunity presented by the demand and are striving to fill the void. However, the few pixie orange growing operations in Kenya fall far short of the growing demand in the country and even abroad.
How Do You Grow A Pixie - Orange Farming in Kenya
• Ecological Requirements
Soils: Pixie thrives in a wide variety of soils, although it does best in sandy loam soils. For optimal yields, they should be grown in deep, fertile, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.3.
• Precipitation: Like oranges, pixie thrives in areas with low to moderate areas. This means it can work well in arid and semi-arid areas. In dry areas, plants should be watered regularly.
• Temperatures: The ideal temperatures for raising goblins are between 100C and 300C. Plants are sensitive to extremely low or high temperatures. For example, high temperatures above 38°C cause fruit drop and fruit scarring.
• Altitude: They grow well at altitudes up to 2100m above sea level.
• Sunlight: Pixie needs ample sunlight (at least 6-8 hours of sunlight), especially during flowering, fruiting and ripening.
Making 1.2 Million with Orange Farming in Kenya | XAXA-FARMS
Growing Areas in Kenya - Orange Farming in Kenya
Pixie orange farming is an agro-industry that has developed in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya such as Makueni, Machakos, Kitui and parts of the coastal region such as Voi. The crop is also doing well in areas like Nyeri, Muranga and parts of western Kenya.
How Many Pixie Orange Trees Can You Get Per Acre - Orange Farming in Kenya
Pixies grow vigorously and have sturdy ascending branches with large leaves. Proper spacing should be considered when establishing pixie gardens. A 4m x 5m space with an acre of 200-250 trees is recommended.
The holes should be 2 feet by 2 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep. Topsoil should be mixed with well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility. However, in areas with loamy soils, the holes should be 3 feet deep. Topsoil should be mixed with sandy or loamy soil and well-rotted manure to improve drainage, aeration and soil fertility.
Weeding - Orange Farming in Kenya
Pixie gardens should be weed free. Mulching and planting cover crops minimize weed growth.
Pests and Diseases of Pixie Oranges - Orange Farming in Kenya
The most effective and economical method of controlling pests and diseases is prevention. Grafted Pixie orange seedlings have a minimal risk of disease. However, it is still advisable to seek treatment for some common conditions that affect the orange pixie to improve its performance. Also, check the pests that invest these fruits. It is always important to identify the problem with the trees to treat the leaves with pesticides or herbicides. Contact your local agronomist for symptoms and control of pests and diseases.
Pests - Orange Farming in Kenya
Some of the pests that affect Pixie orange plants include; Mites, shell-eating caterpillars, scale insects, aphids, leaf miners, fruit flies
Diseases - Orange Farming in Kenya
Some of the diseases that affect Pixie orange include; gum disease, crown rot, branch blight, wilt
Grafted varieties are resistant to certain pests and diseases. In severe cases, chemical control should be used.
How Long Do Pixie Oranges Take To Ripen - Orange Farming in Kenya
The trees begin to flower in the second year and may produce few fruits on each tree and maturity is reached after about 2-3 years. A bountiful harvest is often experienced in the fourth year. The yield of orange sprite depends on many factors such as soil type, weather conditions and orchard management practices. Each tree produces an average of 60 kg of fruit per season with kg ranging from Ksh 120 in the market. Fruit should be harvested when fully ripe and of adequate size, attractive color and acceptable sugar/acid ratio. Ripe fruits can be harvested in 2 or 3 cycles.
Is Pixie Orange Farming Profitable- Orange Farming in Kenya
Growing Pixie oranges is very profitable, with one acre generating up to 1.2 million Kenyan shillings a year, Makueni farmers report. These fruits are sold at an average price of 80 Ksh per kilo at the farm. A well-maintained tree will bear 60 kilos of fruit per year, and one hectare can contain 270 such trees. The cost of starting a goblin farm is only once and would be around 150,000 Ksh. From this start-up capital, you only need about Ksh 100,000 to purchase seedlings and labor initially. The rest is needed over time as it is used to maintain the garden in terms of pest control and watering when needed. Once established, the farm will generate income for you every year for the next 20-30 years.
How Long Does An Orange Tree Take To Bear Fruit - Orange Farming in Kenya
Young orange trees are a handy addition to your garden, providing shade and a food source as they mature. However, you must be patient with new growth, as it only provides ornamental value for several years before any fruit appears. The tree needs time to establish and grow so that adequate energy reserves are available to grow juicy oranges.
Young Trees - Orange Farming in Kenya
Healthy Pixel orange trees bear fruit in the third year. At this point, a well-established root system is in place and the tree has enough foliage to create the photosynthesis energy needed to produce fruit. The key to fruit production from the third year on is soil structure. Using a pH meter, your soil should reflect a moderately to slightly acidic environment, or a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, for the roots to absorb nutrients more efficiently. These succulent fruits also need periodic soil fertilization; Rich soils help foliage and fruit grow over the years.
Mature Trees - Orange Farming in Kenya
Once your orange tree begins to bear fruit, it will produce fruit regularly each year under ideal climate and soil conditions. Each cultivar bears fruit in different seasons, but most are ready to harvest between dry and wet seasons. Fruit production takes four to 12 months when the tree begins to flower. During this flowering period, orange trees depend on insects for cross-pollination and fruit development. For example, oval fruits often appear at harvest in cooler climates, while round, puffy fruits grow in the warmer summer and fall months.
Water Requirements - Orange Farming in Kenya
Your watering habits directly influence fruiting success and frequency. To establish young trees, water them frequently so that the roots grow deep and the foliage proliferates along the branches. An accompanying well-drained soil structure helps the roots stay healthy for a better chance of fruiting. Whether you water your orange trees from above or below, their fruits may be small or not appear all season. However, it is possible to correct the irrigation problem so that the trees have a healthy environment to harvest the next crop.
Sunlight - Orange Farming in Kenya
Lack of sunlight easily smothers constantly fruiting orange trees. Without full sun, orange trees cannot generate the energy needed from photosynthesis to create juicy fruit. As your trees grow, periodic observation of surrounding garden structures should be made. For example, don't put up a large canopy near a young orange tree, as the shade from the structure can prevent the tree from absorbing sunlight, especially during cold months.
Healthy Benefits of the Pixel Orange - Orange Farming in Kenya
The health benefits of the nutrients in pixie fruit include reducing the risk of developing liver and breast cancer. The fiber in the fruit helps cleanse the intestines of bad cholesterol. It also helps maintain normal blood pressure, prevents colds and is crucial for the proper functioning of the immune system, keeping skin glowing and healthy looking. In addition, it helps in wound healing.
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