This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
Strawberry farming is a rare sight in Nyandarua County, where most farmers grow potatoes, carrots, and cabbages. However, Beatrice Mumbi and her husband Stephen Irungu, 49, have chosen a different path. In 2012, they were introduced to strawberry farming and decided to give it a try.
Beatrice and Stephen own a quarter-acre in Kayole village, where they farm strawberries under an intensive system. They have 6,000 strawberry plants on the farm, which they grow in shade nets and plastic bags using drip irrigation for efficient water use. Each bag hosts two stems for good growth, and they grow the crop organically.
Before starting the venture, they paid a farmer in Limuru, Kiambu County, who trained them on how to grow, manage, and harvest the crop. They then invested in splits/runners, shade nets, drip irrigation, and a borehole, which cost them around Sh200,000.
Beatrice and Stephen harvest the strawberries every week, pack them in 500-gramme punnets, and sell to supermarkets in Nyahururu. They sell at least 50 punnets per week, with each punnet selling for Sh100 to consumers and Sh80 to resellers like supermarkets.
Despite the challenges they face, including birds and pests, Beatrice and Stephen have found success in strawberry farming. They offer lessons to farmers on growing the crop, largely for free, but charge Sh500 each to those who come from outside the region.
According to Daniel Gikara, a former agriculture chief officer at the Nyandarua county government, good strawberry farming does not come cheap. However, he notes that Nyandarua is well-suited for strawberry farming, especially in areas like Ol Joro Orok, Kipipiri, Ndaragwa, and Ol Kalou.
