By Lyzzie Owade

Kenya’s most pest-resistant cucumber seeds have sold out nationwide as farmers rush to protect crops from diseases in a run on the top-performing resistant seeds that are the only remaining defence following the country’s pesticide bans.

Cucumber farming has surged by over 60 per cent in Kenya in the past five years, driven by growing demand and short harvest cycles. But with the government withdrawing the key pesticides used to fight downy mildew, mosaic virus and scab, farmers are now relying on resistant seed varieties to avoid total crop losses.

Marketmore, prized for its broad resistance to downy and powdery mildew, mosaic virus, and scab, is now out of stock at major suppliers until the end of August. Also sold out is Long Dutch, which not only offers strong resistance to six major cucumber diseases but also produces up to 60 tonnes per acre, which is the highest yield on the market.

Other top options still available include Darina F1, the fastest to harvest at just 32 to 45 days, and Prince F1, rated as the most mildew-resistant among stocked varieties. But agro-dealers warn that demand is far outpacing supply, as farmers scramble for the few lines left that can survive the country’s shifting chemical rules.

Varieties of cucumber seeds available in Kenya:

1.Ashley Cucumber

Produced by: Simlaw, East Africa Seeds,  and Continental Seeds

Yield per acre: 25-27 tonnes per acre

Time from seed to harvest: 50 to 60 days 

Water need/drought resistance: Relatively low about an inch per week 

Pest resistance: Intermediate tolerance to Downy Mildew

Soil and climate: Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter with a Ph of  6.0-6.8

Price: 

Royal Seeds call 0725549997 

• 10g @ 158/=, 25g @ 333/= and 50g @ 620/=, 

Safari Seeds Ltd call 0735603390 

25g @ 270. 

Simlaw, buy online through https://www.simlaw.co.ke/product-details/642/crc32  – – – 25g @ 370,50g @ 745/=. 

You can also purchase through agroduka https://agroduka.com/ashley?srsltid=AfmBOooCQ0I07ny2p2rsOnBU7VGoXDY_xtAuuNmi_w5v_l4mOwpID3Kl  but it’s currently out of stock, or at agrovets, such as

Emeden Kenya +254799745339. 

This type of cucumber is also available in many agrovet across the country.

2.Marketmore Cucumber

Produced by: Continental Seeds

Yield per acre: 25-27 tonnes per acre

Time from Harvest: 70 days after planting

Water needed: 1-2 inches per  week

Pest resistance: Resistant to cucumber mosaic virus, scab, downy mildew, and powdery mildew

Soil and climate:Does well in warm, sunny conditions and well-drained soil

Price: Small packet goes for 55/=, 10g 82/=, at Continental, but it’s out of stock till end of August 2025.

You can also purchase online https://tropika.co.ke/product/cucumber-marketmore/ but currently out of stock too.

3.Supermarketer

Produce: Amiran Kenya

Yield per acre: 16-32 tonnes per acre

Time from harvest: 60- 75 days of growing

Water needed: About 1-2 inches of water per week

Pest resistance: Resistance to downy mildew 

Soil and climate: Does well in hot climate with well-drained, fertile, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (ideally between 6.0-6.8)

Price : 250g @ 1,340/= at agroduka, buy online https://agroduka.ke/cucumber-supermarketer/

4. Jude F1

Produced by: Royal Seeds Company and Continental Seeds

Yield per acre: 4-5 tonnes per acre

Time from harvest: 75 days from planting

Water needed: One inch of water per week

Pest resistant: Some resistance to Blight and Powdery Mildew

Soil and climate: Does well in warm, sunny climates with well-drained, fertile soil

Price: You can buy online https://tropika.co.ke/product/jude-f1-cucumber-2/?srsltid=AfmBOoqYbrZyJ2bp01L5ijeBNVzMcaX6EQQEy3YNeVbdcoJXNp-WJft5

Or through agroduka https://agroduka.ke/jude-f1-100-seeds/ or order only at myagrovet @ 1.000/= https://www.myagrovet.co.ke/products.php?id=7735

5. Long Dutch

Produced by: Continental Seeds, Hazera 

Yield per acre: 40-60 tonnes per acre

Pest resistance: Resistance to Scab, gummosis, Powdery Mildew, Cucumber Mosaic, Cucumber vein yellowing, and Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder.

Time from seed to harvest: 40 to 50 days 

Water need/drought resistance: 1 to 2 inches of water per week

Soil and climate: Does in a well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7

Price: 50 seed @ 750/=, 100 seeds @ 1,500 at tropika  or online at https://tropika.co.ke/product/hybrid-long-dutch-cucumber/?srsltid=AfmBOopL8aKLEjnqpMDDDpWsMiZRIWcKe2rFf2VRWQasLm6g4ZXuORPn. Its currently out of stock at Continental Seeds until the end of August 2025.

Read Also:

Lawyers journey from broker to grower and supplier of cucumber and lettuce

High-yielding and drought tolerant Carmen F1 cucumber variety earns Sh225,000 a season

FarmBiz TV :Cucumbers offer fast cash route for squeezed farmers.

6. Prince F1

Produced by: Royal Seeds,

Yield per acre: 30 tonnes per acre

Pest resistance: Highly resistant to Powdery Mildew

Time from seed to harvest: 55-65 days 

Water needed: One inch of water per week

Soil and climate: Does well in warm weather with temperatures between 24-30°C and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5

Price: 100 seeds@ 26/=4, 200 seeds@1,210/= or you can check the prices and buy online https://tropika.co.ke/product/prince-f1-cucumber/?srsltid=AfmBOooDzLj9x_VJU6hHpjc9cp4uf82d2JSHG6XNOs1tn2iQ1Xgl0V1z  and 

agroduka 1000 seeds @ 2,100/= on https://agroduka.ke/prince-f1/?variation_id=2386

7.Darina F1

Produced by: Seminis 

Yield per acre: 30 tonnes per acre

Pest resistance: High resistance to cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV) and scab fungus (Ccu)

Time from seed to harvest: 32 to 45 days

Water needed: One inch of water per week

Soil and climate: Well-drained loam or sandy soils with a pH range of 6.0-6.8

Prince :  1,000 seeds @ 3,300/=  at Agroduka or online through https://agroduka.com/crop-production/seeds/cucumber/darina-f1-1000-seeds