A mature jackfruit tree in its productive years. |
Jackfruit commonly known as ‘fenesi’ in Swahili is a tropical fruit with its origin in the region between Southern India, the Western Ghats, Sri Lanka’s Island and Malaysia’s rain forests.
A Jackfruit slice. |
Jackfruit farming has continuously gained popularity in Kenya with coastal and western counties like Busia rooting for more than 67% of Kenya’s produce.
The
economic potential of Jackfruit farming in Kenya.
The
economic potential of jackfruit farming is very promising for reasons like;
· High
demand in local and international markets.
Jackfruit
has gained popularity globally in the recent years as a versatile and
nutritious fruit. The rising demand for plant based and exotic fruits presents
an opportunity for Kenyan farmers to tap in to the local and international
markets.
·
Diversification of income sources.
Farming jackfruit allows for diversification of income
sources for farmers. With proper cultivation and marketing, farmers can
generate revenue from selling fresh jackfruit, processed products and
by-products like seeds and seedlings.
· Adaptability
to Kenyan Climate.
The diverse climatic conditions in Kenya are very
suitable for the farming of Jackfruit. Their adaptability to different regions
provides farmers with the flexibility to cultivate across various
agro-ecological zones.
· Low
maintenance and resource requirements.
Jackfruit trees require low maintenance once established.
They require less water compared to some other fruit trees.
· Economic
benefits
Jackfruit trees contribute to environmental
sustainability by providing shade, reducing soil erosion, and acting as carbon
sinks. This aligns with the consumer preferences for environmentally friendly
and sustainable agricultural practises.
Ideal
climate for Jackfruit farming.
Jackfruit
thrive best in warm and tropical climates, making it suitable for Kenyan coast
and other lowland areas in Kenya.
The fruit
tree requires temperatures between 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. It is very sensitive to frost, and this means areas
with frequent frost occurrences are not suitable for its growth.
While
jackfruit can withstand short periods of drought, regular and well distributed
rain is essential during flowering, fruiting stages, and other important plant
processes. High humid and low altitude areas are also favourable for optimal
growth of jackfruit.
On
the soil requirements, jackfruit trees prefer deep, sandy loam to clay well
drained fertile soils with a Ph level that is slightly acidic to neutral.
How
do you plant a jackfruit?
You
who is particularly interested in knowing how this mighty fruit tree is
planted, this piece is for you. Just like a good house requires a strong
foundation, a good foundation for any plant ensures successful cultivation and
a bounty harvest.
1. Dig
planting holes.
Dig planting holes at the site you wish to plant your
jackfruit seedlings, while ensuring they are large and spacious enough to
accommodate the root system and tap enough water for the plant. The ideal hole
should have a depth similar to the height of the root and should be spacious enough.
2. Spacing.
While digging the holes, just ensure you figure out the
mature size of a jackfruit tree, this will help one plan on the best spacing
that can ensure the trees do not crowd as they grow. Mature jackfruit trees
grow to extremely big sizes. They are a perfect definition of out of a tiny
seedling, a mighty tree grows.
3. Incorporate
well-rotted manure or compost.
Integrating manure or compost into the holes ensures soil fertility. It also provides the essential nutrients for the growth of the jack plant.
4. Planting
depth.
You should ensure the roots are fully covered with soil
and then gently firm the soil around the base of the plant and leave an
allowance that can hold water for the plant.
5. Watering.
At this point when you have already planted your
seedling, ensure you water it generously. This helps settle soil around the
roots and provides initial hydration.
6. Mulching.
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to
conserve soil, suppress weeds, and regulate the soil temperatures. When mulching
avoid materials like sawdust and hay as they buffer soil temperatures and may
make the area soggy due to lack of evaporation.
How profitable
is Jackfruit farming?
Jackfruit
is a hardy plant that requires low maintenance which saves an agribusiness
investor huge amount of expenses. Jackfruit farming is in a short way an investment
that allows you to minimise your expenditures while maximising on the profits.
With a single jackfruit tree being capable of producing up to 300 fruits and a
mature jackfruit being sold at an average price of ksh400 to ksh650, this means
the least a farmer can make from one tree is ksh120,000 and as much as 195,000.
Now try to imagine of a farmer who has invested in farming an acre of jackfruit
trees. Call or Whatsapp Richfarm Kenya at 0724698357/0723213602 and get your
jackfruit seedlings as early as now.
Nutritional
value of Jackfruit
Jackfruit
is a nutrient-rich tropical fruit that offers numerous health benefits like
o
Calories:
Jackfruit is relatively low in calories, making it a suitable option for those
looking to maintain a balanced diet. About 95 calories per 100grams of raw
jackfruit make it a low-calorie food.
o
Vitamin C:
This fruit is a good source of vitamin C which makes it essential for immune
function and healthy skin.
o
Potassium:
Contains Potassium which is an important mineral for health and proper fluid
balance in the body.
o
Antioxidants:
Rich in dietary antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress and promote
overall health.
o
Dietary Fibre:
Jackfruit is high in dietary fibre that aids digestion and promotes a healthy
digestive system.
o
Suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians:
Jackfruit is a versatile meat substitute, providing a plant-based option for
people who are following vegan or vegetarian diets.
Pests
and Diseases
Pests
and diseases are a must concern for every farmer who looks forward to a healthy
plant/crop which translates to a bounty harvest. Pests and diseases impair
plant productivity and interfere with plant processes such as water absorbance,
photosynthesis, flower and fruit development, plant growth etc.
Some
of the most common pests and diseases associated with jackfruit plant are:
Pests
· Shoot
and fruit borer
· Spittle
bugs
· Aphids
· Leaf
Webber
Diseases
· Fruit
rot
· Die
back
· Leaf
Spot
· Pink
disease
Culturally,
during growth jackfruit diseases can be controlled through pruning the trees. This
enables air to travel freely throughout the branches to ensure all the fruits
dry up after the rains. Another way of controlling is carrying out hygiene
measures like removing infected fruit from the trees.
Botanical
pesticides such as Neem oil can also be used against the pests.
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