Grapes Farming In Kenya, 13 Key Q&A
Grapes Farming In Kenya: Grape (Vitis vinifera) belonging to the Vitaceae family is one of the world’s most important economic fruit crops. It is consumed as fresh and processed into different products including wine, juice and raisins.
According to FAO, approximately 71% of the world grapes production is used for wine, 27% as fresh fruits and 2% as raisins (dried fruit).
On the other hand, the peel of grapes is the source of essential oil and pectin. It can also serve as a raw material for the production of cattle feed and in preparation of candies. Raisins are rich source of sugar most of which is fructose and antioxidants. Its juice is used in cosmetics to bleach and soften skin. Moreover, grapes are useful in fighting dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, stones in the urinary tract and bile ducts. They also activate liver functions, ease digestion, help to reduce cholesterol level of blood and eliminate uric acid.
Grapes farming in Kenya can be used to create thousands of jobs and millions of shillings in income because there is a good market within the country. There is a ready market throughout the year and new wine companies that use grapes as their main raw material are setting shops in Kenya.
On this article we focus on the major Q & A on grapes farming in Kenya
1. Can Grapes Grow In Kenya?
Kenya is considered one of the best places in the globe to grow grapes because of the cool climates. The warm days, cool nights, volcanic soils as well as moderate rainfall in most parts of the country provide the optimum conditions to grow quality grapes.
The few grape farmers in Kenya are getting huge yields—an indication that Grapes Farming in Kenya has a high potential to be a leading producer of the crop if Kenyans take its cultivation seriously. Grapes Farming in Kenya can save much foreign exchange as over 90% of the fruit used in wine and juice making is imported from South Africa and other countries and mostly sold to the high-end market that pays a good price for them.
2. How long does grapes take to grow in Kenya?
This is a very time consuming process as it can take up to three years to propagate a new grape vine from seeds. Planting from a rooted seedlings takes around 2 years to start good production.
3. Is grapes farming in Kenya profitable?
Grapes farming in Kenya has the potential to create employment and wealth among Kenyan farmers‘ especially young farmers who are ready to try something new. Grapes farming in Kenya is still in its formative stage even though there are grapevine orchards in different parts of Kenya that are more than 20 years old.
4. Can grapes grow in Nakuru?
Grapes can be grown very well Kenya. This has been proven in Naivasha where they have been growing grapes since 2000. Grapes like terrain that is somewhat sloping so as not to lodge water and hurt the roots. Grapes grow best in areas with warm and dry climate and where sufficient irrigation is available.
5. How much do grapes cost in Kenya?
The prices of grapes on our shelves range from 500-800 by January 2023, the prices have been on a steady increase with many factors at play that includes varieties. In 2010 the cost of grapes per Kg was retailing between 400-500.
6. Can grapes grow in Mombasa?
Naivasha, Mandera, Kibwezi, Meru and Mombasa are also cited as best regions for grapes farming in Kenya. The warm days, cool nights, volcanic soils as well as moderate rainfall in most parts of the country provide the optimum conditions to grow quality grapes.
7. How many grapes can one plant produce?
A typical grape vine will produce about 40 grape clusters. A rule of thumb for grape growers is that a typical vine will produce about 10 bottles of wine. So, 40 grape clusters X 100 grapes per cluster = 4,000 grapes to make 10 bottles, or 400 grapes to make one bottle.
8. Where can one buy grapes seedlings in Kenya
Grapes seedlings can be purchased on many nursery propagators in Kenya, however, for true to type variety, buy seedlings from certified vendors like Fruit Africa via +254 752452939 or Farmers Trend nurseries via +254 724559286 or +254 790509684
9. Do grapes need a lot of water to grow?
Established grapevines are more drought tolerant than some fruit crops, but they do need regular watering. During drought conditions, the plants might not set fruit. The grapevines need weekly water applications in the absence of rainfall, penetrating the soil’s surface to a depth of 12 inches.
10. What are the Constraints in grape farming in Kenya?
Below are some challenges of grapes farming to grapes growers as follow;-
- Heavy initial investment for establishing a vineyard is a problem to the majority of
grape farming in Kenya, - High recurring costs in vineyard management,
- Narrow variety base and
- lack of diversity in utilization of the germplasm available in grape growing is
another Grapes Farming in Kenya challenge, - high risk of losing the crop due to unprecedented changes in weather,
- very low proportion of export quality grapes and marketing problems in table grapes.
- Other challenges of Grapes Farming in Kenya include insects, diseases and other problems. Numerous insect pests are present with the most problematic being green June beetle (cotinis notida), grasshoppers, winter injury on grapes specifically V.Vinifera grapes, bird, deer, and raccoon damage
11. What is the best soil for grapes farming in Kenya?
Grapes Farming in Kenya is not particular about soil composition, planting depth, or fertilization. They will thrive in sandy or rocky soil but do require good drainage and air circulation. However excessively wet or dry soil should be avoided. Adequate soil preparation is essential since grapes have deep roots and are very long-lived plants. It’s always best practice to remove weeds and work compost into the soil before planting.
You will want to cultivate a large area around the base of the plants (at least 8 feet in diameter). The roots of a single grapevine can spread out three to six feet from the base of the plant, and penetrate deep into the soil.
12. How do you prepare land for grapes farming in Kenya?
Land is leveled by a tractor as per the requirement, soil type and gradient. In case of drip irrigation, leveling need not be perfect. The size of the plot will vary with the type of training system used. In case of bower and telephone or “T” trellis the ideal size could be 60 X 80 m. and 90 X 120 m. respectively.
13. How do you plant grapes in Kenya
Grape is usually propagated by hard wood cuttings, though propagation by seed, soft wood cuttings, layering, grafting and budding is also used in some cases.
The grapevines are usually planted in pits. The size of the pit depends upon the spacing of the vines and also on the specific requirements of the variety. The depth may vary from 60 to 60 cm. depending upon the soil type.
Wider spacing (1.2 m. X 1.2 m.) or more is required in case of vigorous varieties.
Planting grapes is usually avoided during the rainy season.
Growth of the plants starts 10-15 days after planting, depending upon the season of planting. Growth occurs earlier in case of those planted during warm season as compared to those planted in cold season. After one month of planting, the young plants need staking and training.
CONCLUSINON ON GRAPES FARMING IN KENYA
Grape farming in Kenya is a significant driver for growth and a major source of income for the small
scale farmers. Indeed, this activity plays an important role in household food security and the overall welfare of small scale farmers. However, limited access to market is a major constraint to full exploitation of grape production potential and jeopardizes efforts to improving productivity.
In this regard, government intervention especially at county levels is needed to attract investment in grape processing industries which would broaden the range of products from grapes and enhance grape market.
Improved linkage to existing markets along with provision of technical support is critical to the development of the grape sub-sector, and this would subsequently reduce rural poverty and food insecurity. As part of the endeavour to address these constraints, efforts are also needed to establish groups of producers and processors or strengthen the existing ones as a strategy to facilitate access to technical support, farm inputs, output market and financial services.
==
FRUIT FARMING PLANTING PACKAGES | |
| FARMERS TREND FRUIT SEEDLINGS SERVICES | We provide technical support on fruit farming in Kenya. Our Sales Team with technically qualified staff provide after sales service and farmers’ advisory services to our customers to get better plant establishment and faster growth of fruit orchard and plantations. We have a large network of employees who arrange delivery of seedlings to customers at their various destinations from Nairobi. Free technical services to customers on planting method, management practices and plant protection measures. Our team of Agricultural Experts periodically visits and supervise plantations and suggest necessary guidelines to get better growth and higher returns. The income & expenditure projections indicated by Farmers Trend is normally an approximate figure, as it also depends on the nature and hard work of the farmer. |
| FRUIT FARMING PACKAGE |
|
| WHAT THE PACKAGE CONSISTS |
|
| GIVE US A CALL TO ENJOY THIS BENNEFITS VIA +254 724-559286 OR +254 754-452939 | |
==
grapes price per kg in kenya,
grapes seedlings for sale in kenya,
best places to grow grapes in kenya,
conditions for growing grapes,
how long does grapes take to mature,
climate to grow grapes,
apple farming in kenya,
How long does it take for grapes to grow?,
Where does grapes grow in Kenya?,
Is grape farming profitable in Kenya?,
How do you farm grapes?,
Can you grow grapes in Tanzania?,
How profitable is grape farming?,
In which month grapes grow?,
Where are grapes planted in Kenya?,
grapes farming in tanzania,
grapes farming in uganda,
grapes farming in rwanda,
grapes farming in india,
grapes farming in usa,
grapes farming guide,
grapes farming research,
grapes farming pdf,
grapes farming in meru,
grapes seedlings for sale in kenya,
grapes price per kg in kenya,
grapes farming in kibwezi,
is grape farming profitable in kenya,
best places to grow grapes in kenya,
grapefruit farming in kenya,
Leave a Reply