This archive report was first published on 9 September 2021.
Pixie Fruit: A Lucrative Venture for Kenyan Farmers ¶
Published on September 9, 2021, a report by Kenyans.co.ke highlighted the growing trend of pixie farming in Kenya, with the crop gaining traction in the Eastern and Coastal regions.
Justus Kimeu, a large-scale farmer of pixie crops in Makueni, has seen significant profits from the rare fruit. According to Kimeu, pixie does well in arid and semi-arid areas, and the prices per kilogram are three times higher than for oranges.
"Pixie retails at Ksh150 per kilogram, making it a highly profitable business," Kimeu stated. He noted that he had initially ventured into orange farming but switched to pixie due to the higher returns.
Kimeu's 6.5-acre farm in Makueni is a testament to the potential of pixie farming. He has planted pixie, tangerine, and Washington native plants, with pixie yielding the highest amount of profit. "Talk of ten tonnes of pixie from an acre of land, multiply it with Ksh150 per kilogram, you get Ksh1.5 million sales for the harvest," Kimeu explained.
For optimal growth, pixie thrives in well-drained soils with a pH range of 6.5-7.3. The ideal temperature range is between 100-300 degrees Celsius, and the plants are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Proper spacing and soil preparation are also crucial for successful pixie farming.
