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Farmers count losses as pests destroy crop in Kenya
Kenya
Friday 08 June 2007
Passion fruit farmers in Uasin Gishu and Keiyo Districts have incurred losses running into millions of shillings, following an outbreak of diseases and pests, affecting production of the fruit.
"The production of passion fruit has become the main income earner for most farmers in the district, with the demand being quite high.
However, farmers are not able to meet these orders, due to low production occasioned by attacks by diseases and pests," says Uasin Gishu District agricultural officer, Grace Kirui.
Last year, the district earned 23.300 EUR from 47.000 metric tons of passion fruit cultivated in about 350 hectares.
Passion fruit production was expected to increase to over 50.000 metric tons this season, but the projections might not be achieved, due to the disease outbreak.
Among the most popular varieties of the fruit grown is Edulis pass flora. The Horticultural Development Authority, is the main collaborator in the sector. It supplies seeds to the farmers and provides transport to the market at reasonable rate.
In Keiyo District, Koitoror location is the leading producer of passion fruit, with more than 345 metric tons grown in the area in the last planting season.
"The orchards are expected to have a life span of more than five years, but do not last more than three years in the district due to the high incidents of diseases and pests," says Ms Kirui.
Stringent demands by the European market remains the main challenge facing the sector, which calls for the need to train farmers on how to meet consumer requirements and expand production of the fruit.
"The production of passion fruit has become the main income earner for most farmers in the district, with the demand being quite high.
However, farmers are not able to meet these orders, due to low production occasioned by attacks by diseases and pests," says Uasin Gishu District agricultural officer, Grace Kirui.
Last year, the district earned 23.300 EUR from 47.000 metric tons of passion fruit cultivated in about 350 hectares.
Passion fruit production was expected to increase to over 50.000 metric tons this season, but the projections might not be achieved, due to the disease outbreak.
Among the most popular varieties of the fruit grown is Edulis pass flora. The Horticultural Development Authority, is the main collaborator in the sector. It supplies seeds to the farmers and provides transport to the market at reasonable rate.
In Keiyo District, Koitoror location is the leading producer of passion fruit, with more than 345 metric tons grown in the area in the last planting season.
"The orchards are expected to have a life span of more than five years, but do not last more than three years in the district due to the high incidents of diseases and pests," says Ms Kirui.
Stringent demands by the European market remains the main challenge facing the sector, which calls for the need to train farmers on how to meet consumer requirements and expand production of the fruit.
