Due to the specific growing conditions it requires, the dragon fruit is a highly marketable food item, generating huge income for farmers who engage in its cultivation.
This unique fruit thrives in warm climates and well-drained soil, making it a limited commodity in the market. Consequently, farmers cultivating dragon fruit can command a premium price due to its scarcity.
Dragon fruit retails between Ksh1,000 and Ksh1,500 per kilogram, depending on the supplier, and at Ksh300 per fruit.
One such farmer capitalising on the lucrative potential of dragon fruit is Priscilla Nyairia and her husband who have a thriving dragon fruit farm along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road 60km from Nyeri Town.
In an interview, Mrs. Nyairia disclosed that the concept of dragon fruit farming was introduced by her husband, who hails from a family deeply rooted in agriculture.
Their venture into dragon fruit cultivation has proven to be a profitable venture, allowing them to make millions.
Priscilla, a Computer Science graduate, recalled their initial steps in dragon fruit farming.
They began with a modest farm housing 100 trees, eventually expanding as their venture prospered. The couple took the hands-on approach, propagating their own cuttings and carefully transplanting them onto their farm.
Their inaugural harvest in 2021 marked a significant milestone. At that time, each fruit fetched a premium price of Ksh 1,000.
Priscilla and her husband managed to earn a profit of Ksh 800,000 after generating Ksh 1 million from just 200 plants.
While the total earnings amounted to Ksh 1 million, the initial setup cost of Ksh 200,000 was subtracted, leaving them with a profit of Ksh 800,000.
According to Priscilla, the waiting period for the first harvest is a year.
Subsequently, they enjoy four harvests annually, with each tree yielding up to 50 fruits per harvest.
Beginnings
The couple's success story began with importing the first fruit cuttings from The Philippines, incurring a cost of 10 dollars per cutting, with an additional 10 dollars for shipping.
The investment paved the way for their flourishing dragon fruit farming enterprise.
Following their initial success, Priscilla and her husband expanded their farm by planting more dragon fruit trees, with ambitious plans to further extend it to 10 acres, accommodating around 10,000 trees.
During the interview, Priscilla revealed that their journey was almost derailed by an agronomist who doubted the suitability of dragon fruit in Kenyan soil and climate.
However, their determination proved otherwise, and today, they assert that dragon fruit is the most expensive fruit globally.
Challenges in Dragon Fruit Farming
Despite their thriving business, meeting the high demand has become a challenge due to the fruit's exclusivity.
According to Priscilla, the key to a flourishing harvest in dragon fruit farming lies in the application of organic manure, with a requirement of 10 kg per pole, a method refined through their past experiences.
Priscilla emphasised the meticulous attention required for dragon fruit rearing.
Adequate water supply is crucial, with a minimum of 10 liters per pole per week essential for optimal growth.
Additionally, they've implemented a clever pest control strategy by surrounding their farm with a natural fence of mulberries.
This barrier ensures that pests invading the farm are drawn to the mulberries, sparing the dragon fruits from harm and contributing to the success of their enterprise.
Health Benefits
Dragon fruit is revered not just for its unique taste but also for its health benefits, particularly its high vitamin C content, which enhances immunity.
This rare fruit boasts anti-cancer properties, lowering the risk of colon cancer. Additionally, it serves as a potent antioxidant, guarding against chronic illnesses like diabetes.
