HOW TO START ORANGE AND LEMON FARMING IN KENYA

Pixie orange farming in Kenya is one form of agribusiness that has picked up pace faster than any other. The reasons for this are obvious; it is highly profitable. And that is not the only attractive bit about it.

Factors to consider when farming oranges:

Choice of Land is Critical

The initial step should be to choose an appropriate piece of land. When doing this, it’s best to take your time. This is because it might have a big impact on the health of your trees. Sandy-loam soils, as previously said, are a good choice. Clay content should be between 10% and 40%. However, observing other trees in the area is a simpler approach to determine how good a soil is. If the surrounding trees appear to be well-fed, the area is likely to be suitable for this purpose.

Another significant factor to consider is the drainage of the soil. Well-drained soils are ideal for citrus trees. As a result, stay away from flooded places. Some water-logged regions are clearly visible, while others are not.

So, how can you determine the soil’s drainage capacity? To accomplish so, simply dig a hole that is 2 meters deep and 1 meter in diameter. Fill the hole with water and keep an eye on it. The best time frame is 24 and 36 hours. This internal drain test prevents your citrus trees from being harmed by the soil drainage system. Furthermore, purchasing land for this venture would be less expensive in rural places. Purchasing land in the city would be too expensive.

Planting your Lemon and Oranges

There are two options for accomplishing this. You can either buy young trees from Oxfarm.co.ke nurseries or start from scratch with seeds. This takes longer, but it prevents you from making costly mistakes such as purchasing undesired types. You should buy your desired citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, if you choose to sow the seeds yourself. You should also decide on your favorite variety. These are available in dwarf and regular kinds. After gathering the seeds, soak them in water to separate them.

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To make it easier to identify these, divide them into two categories. Submerge in water for at least 24 hours. Seeds should be put half an inch deep in a nursery that has been prepared. Use Polythene bags for nursery.

Fill the bags with sandy-loam soil that is high in organic content. Each of them should be able to hold one or two seeds. Make punctures  in the polythene bags to allow water to drain easily. It is necessary to water your seedlings every day once after planting half an inch deep. Orange seeds usually germinate in 14 to two weeks after being planted. Germination necessitates ideal conditions. This includes having enough water, having a well-drained soil, and having the correct temperature.

Cost Implications of Orange and Lemon Farming in Kenya

Growing oranges and lemons necessitates a large financial investment. The cost of land will be a significant portion of your budget. However, if you own land, you will have saved a large amount of money.

If you want, you can purchase young trees from us for only ksh 150 per plant. You can get a figure by multiplying them by the number of stands you need. Other costs for treatment and care could be in the region of $5,000 to $10,000. The nicest part about this investment is that it is a one-time investment that does not need repeating unless you want to develop other citrus groves.

Profit Potential for Orange and Lemon Farming

If done correctly, orange and lemon farming can be quite rewarding. You should be able to plant up to 150 orange trees per acre. Maximum yield is only achieved after your trees have produced 4 to 5 times their original yield. At its best, each tree can generate over 100 kg. Depending on market conditions, each of these sells for over Ksh 5000. By multiplying these figures by 150, an acre of orange and lemon grove can bring in Ksh750,000. With a greater focus on value addition and the formation of additional fruit juice firms, citrus estates have a better opportunity of generating more money. This is a great investment to consider because it will pay you in the long run.