By Lydia Gichuki
Falling coffee prices and delayed payments saw a Nyeri self-help group win a grant more than a decade ago to diversify into pineapple, starting a journey that has since changed the farmers’ lifestyles and brought income all year round, as others in the area struggle with maize and plummeting coffee prices.
Back in 2005, Nyeri County’s farmers were earning over Sh135 per kilogram of coffee. Today, they get from Sh35 to Sh85 a kg. But for Gathanji Self Help Group from Mukurweini, a grant in 2006 set them onto a path where the end-point has been far better earnings.
Joseph Mwangi, one of 25 members from the group, said an agricultural officer from the government had identified the area as a suitable ecological environment for pineapple growth, with well-drained soil and warmth, and then helped them, in 2006, through the process of winning an Ifund grant from an NGO. They were then offered technical support on tillage and planting of the stems.
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“We wanted to stop over-reliance on coffee, as the prices and production had and continues to drop and it takes one year to get payment, and we saw it as wise to have another crop that would generate income, as we waited for the coffee money, and pineapple was recommended as this place is hilly and drier and other plants don’t do well here. We also plant maize, although it doesn’t do very well, which has a shorter maturation period and with this diversification there is always money in our pockets,” said Joseph.
The group started by planting 43,500 stems in one of its member’s one-acre plot and shared tillage and care schedules, with each member giving a day to look after the plants. After 18 months, when the pineapples matured, the group earned Sh400,000.
From the proceeds the members bought calves, household items such as cooking gas and TVs, and renovated their houses.
“The first project was a success, as the pineapples were big and we sold a medium size at Sh100. We even exhibited at Kabiruini Agricultural show and we were awarded with a certificate for their commendable sizes given that they were the first ever grown pineapples in our county,” said Joseph.
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Due to the success of the project, 15 members from the group started their individual ventures and about 50 members of the community bought the stems at Sh10 from the group, which has turned the region into a pineapple growing area.
The demand of pineapple from Nyeri is high as they are very juicy compared to those grown in Thika, Kiambu County, due to the difference in soil composition from the two regions.
However, the group faced the challenge of low production after several harvests, because they didn’t continue consulting agricultural officers after planting, which saw the soil become exhausted, which resulted in small sized pineapples of a low quality and lesser quantity.However, the group faced the challenge of low production after several harvests, because they didn’t continue consulting agricultural officers after planting, which saw the soil become exhausted, which resulted in small sized pineapples of a low quality and lesser quantity.
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“We didn’t know that we were supposed to prune the plant, which drastically reduced the production, and also when the soil became exhausted and we couldn’t figure it out on time, or how to make it fertile again. I advise that prospective farmers seek advice from agricultural officers, because we lost a lot due to ignorance,” said Joseph.
To boost their production, the group sought help from Nyeri County Agriculture Department, where they were given Sh49,000 to buy more stems and manure. The county government also offered extension services to the group and individual farmers, which has since seen the production improve.
“The advice from the extension officers helped a lot in improving the size and quality of the fruit as its prices had dropped to Sh50, but now we are selling for between Sh80 to Sh100 depending on size,” said Joseph.
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Compared to coffee, pineapple farming is less labour intensive, which allows farmers to do it alongside other forms of agriculture.Compared to coffee, pineapple farming is less labour intensive, which allows farmers to do it alongside other forms of agriculture.
Pineapples are tropical fruits that have a wide range of health benefits, including being rich in vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. The fruit also contains dietary fiber which helps in digestion.Pineapples are tropical fruits that have a wide range of health benefits, including being rich in vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants. The fruit also contains dietary fiber which helps in digestion.
Joseph is selling pineapple stems at Sh10. His contact is 0723403330.