A group of Chinese farmers in Naivasha, Nakuru County, are taking advantage of the area’s fertile soils to reap the benefits of dragon fruit farming.
The farmers on a mission in the Rift Valley region grow the fruits on a 260-acre farm; they stated that they had to do extensive research before investing in dragon fruit farming.
This includes the kind of soil in the locality, the availability of water, and the fact that the fruit is not widely grown in Kenya.
“We discovered that the Kenyan soil is ideal for farming, and we had to find the best fruit that is compatible for the Kenyan soil. “In Kenya, there are no dragon fruits, so we took a chance to see how people would react. So far, they’re responding well,” one of the farmers said.
Once picked, the nutritious fruits are marketed in both local and international markets, including Dubai, Italy and Spain.
“So far, the markets are responding well, particularly the export sector. Local markets are also reacting nicely, with several local supermarkets and people stopping by to investigate,” he said.
According to farm overseer Alice Wanjiku, the dragon fruits are cultivated with only organic fertilisers including chicken waste and cow manure.
“Before planting any crops, the land is thoroughly tilled and then mixed with chicken manure and cow dung. We use organic manure because we want to preserve the ecosystem,” she explained.
The farm’s manager, Zhang Wensheng, stated that they founded Kairview Ecological Farm in 2019.
“We started the farm in 2019, at the beginning it was not so easy but with time it got easier, when we came here, the fruit was not in the market and it was difficult but with people tasting the fruit, it got best,” Wensheng said.
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The farmers also grow kiwi, grapes, gooseberries, muskmelon, sweet melon, pawpaws, tomatoes, guavas, lemons, oranges, mangoes, purple sweet potatoes and avocados.
Additionally, the company, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy in Kenya, organises training for those in the sector to attend sessions in Beijing.
Benefits of dragon fruits
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a tropical fruit that grows on several species of cactus native to Central and South America.
It comes in three main varieties, white dragon fruit with pink skin and white flesh, red dragon fruit with red or pink skin and red flesh and yellow dragon fruit with yellow skin and white flesh.
The yellow variety is the sweetest type but can be harder to find.
Dragon fruit is low in calories, contains fiber and antioxidants, and provides small amounts of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and magnesium.
It has a slightly sweet taste often described as a cross between a kiwi and a pear.
The fruit can be eaten raw by cutting it in half and scooping out the flesh, added to salads, smoothies and yogurt, or used to flavor juices and alcoholic beverages.
The seeds are edible and have a nutty flavor.
While dragon fruit is generally safe to eat, some people may experience allergic reactions or digestive issues from consuming it.
Moderation is advised, especially for those with certain health conditions.
