By MaryAnne Musilo

Horticulturalist John Ahadi has created a business from a single exotic fig tree in Athi River that can now produce hundreds of seedlings a year that thrive at almost any level of heat or drought.

John started his fig seedling business after a visiting friend from Ghana brought three fig cuttings to Kenya. One of the cuttings survived and became the source tree from which he now propagates seedlings that he sells to farmers. Figs remain rare among Kenyan growers.

“For the past six years I have been propagating fig seedlings for farmers interested in trying the unusual crop. I got my first 3 cuttings from a friend in Ghana. In my compound I only planted one tree because it is hard wood and it requires one to have a big piece of land to farm the fruits. On other two I gifted my client who has 10 acres in Athi River and only one survived,” said John.

John propagates the Brown Turkey fig variety, which produces fruit without insect pollination.

“The brown turkey figs are self pollinating and do not require bees or other trees to produce fruit. They develop fruit directly from female flowers. This is a nice trait because if one just needs to grow it in a compound, one is enough,” he said.

The common fig (Ficus carica) is one of the most climate-tolerant fruit trees in horticulture. Agronomic studies show the crop grows well in temperatures of about 20–35°C and tolerates drought once established because of its deep root system. It can produce under rainfall ranges of roughly 400mm to more than 1,500mm a year provided soils are well drained.

These conditions cover large parts of Kenya’s production zones, including semi-arid counties such as Machakos, Kajiado and Makueni, as well as warmer highland areas up to about 2,000m above sea level. The main climatic constraint is high humidity or heavy rain during fruit ripening, which can cause fruit splitting and spoilage.

“Buyers buy two to three fig trees. The figs do well in sunny, well drained, semi arid areas, but this is not to mean that people in colder parts cannot plant, brown turkey varieties can grow in tropical climates, but they face challenges with high humidity and heavy rain, which can cause fruit spoilage,” said John.

Since starting the venture, he has supplied seedlings to farmers in Machakos, Nakuru and Athi River.

Under warm conditions the trees begin producing fruit after about one year and two months.

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“In dry areas, I prefer irrigating about 5litres of water per week before the tree matures. The fig can also do well in cold areas but a farmer will need to practice mulching to protect the roots from root rot. But it will take longer, like 18 months, to mature,” he said.

Domestic production remains very small, with most figs in Kenyan supermarkets imported. Trade data show Kenya imported 7,658kg of fresh or dried figs in 2023 worth about $39,860, mainly from Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

Retail demand is concentrated in urban niche markets, including high-end supermarkets, restaurants and health food stores, where the fruit is sold fresh or dried and used in desserts, salads and baked products. Limited local supply means imported figs often dominate these outlets.

One of John’s clients in Athi River first received two fig cuttings as a gift. She later expanded the orchard by buying ten more trees. John assists her with managing the farm and marketing the fruit.

“I help her out in managing the farm. Initially we sold the fruits at organic Farmers market only, at Sh200 a pack of 6 fruits. The rare fruit attracted curious buyers, and we did not take long to secure one Indian buyer who owns a restaurant in Westlands. We sell him around 500 fruits annually,” he said.

A fig tree begins with small harvests but production increases as the tree matures. A mature tree produces between 100 and 200 fruits a year depending on management and growing conditions.

The fruits are sold fresh to the restaurant where they are mainly used as dessert because of their sweet flavour often described as a mix of caramel and berry.

“Demand for figs is growing as people get to know more about them. I sell the seedlings at Sh400,” said John.

Figs face pest pressure from insects such as aphids and whiteflies.

“Pests like aphids and whiteflies can be stressful, but I spray neem oil that acts as an insecticide,” he said.

John also advises farmers who buy seedlings on planting, irrigation and pest management as interest in fig production spreads among small-scale growers.

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