Farmers in different regions of Kenya, particularly coastal and western counties are raking in millions from Jack fruit farming.
The fruit, which was originally cultivated in Asia, is slightly larger than watermelon and roughly oblong in shape.
Jack fruit does well in loamy or sandy soils with good drainage and it can withstand drought, unlike other crops.
The unique plant can produce up to 300 fruits. One fruit weighs between five and forty kilograms depending on the size.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Peter Kubebea, one of the Jack fruit farmers, who hails from Buyosi village, Busia County, stated that the plant takes up to three years to mature.
In his earlier interview with Citizen TV, Kubebea noted that Jack fruit farming is more profitable than maize farming.
"One tree can produce over three hundred fruits. So within one year, a farmer can make Ksh 450,000. Half a million from 10 trees.
“It is better than growing maize which may earn you five or 10 bags in one year,” the experienced farmer explained then.
When asked whether Jack fruit farming is more profitable than depending on traditional cash crops, Okisegere Ojepat, an agricultural expert, explained a number of factors that should be considered before making a conclusion.
"It is not just about the amount of money you can make. It depends on the acreage and the variety. There is no crop in Kenya that can give you a profit.
“Profits are determined by the price, the market, consistency and the variety you are planting. Because if your supplying the market that everyone is supplying the prices will come down, but if you have a targeted market, that is totally a different thing,” Ojepat, the CEO, Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya explained.
Currently, Busia County is the largest producer of Jack fruit in the country. The county accounts for over 50 per cent of the total production in Kenya.
Some of the other counties where farmers engage in Jack fruit farming are Siaya, Kisumu, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu.
