How to Prevent Flower and Fruit Abortion in Avocado and Other Fruits

Flower and fruit abortion in avocado and other fruit trees has become a serious issue for farmers in Kenya, leading to massive losses. It is a phenomenon influenced by a combination of environmental, physiological, and biological factors. 

How to Prevent Flower and Fruit Abortion in Avocado and Other Fruits

Below, I will explore the causes of and possible solutions of fruit and flower abortion in avocado trees and extend the explanation to other fruit trees where applicable:

 

1. Environmental Stress

Extreme Temperature

Avocado trees are sensitive to both high and low temperatures. Excessive heat (above 35°C) during flowering can cause damage to the pollen grains produced by flowers. When this happens, pollination fails, hence the flowers abort. Frost or periods of extreme cold can also damage the delicate flower blooms or young fruit, causing them to fall off. Other fruit trees like apples or citrus may abort fruit under similar temperature stress.

Water Deficiency or Excess

Lack of water reduces fruit trees’ ability to support flowers and young fruit, leading to abortion. On the other hand, too much water (waterlogging) depletes oxygen in the root zone, impairing nutrient uptake and causing fruit drop. This applies broadly to all fruit trees, not only avocado.

Wind

We give very little attention to strong winds, yet they can physically damage flowers or completely dry them out, reducing pollination success. This is a notable issue for avocados, which have fragile flowers. If you must plant your avocados on land that experiences strong winds, you should consider planting wind breakers – other fast-growing trees such as Moringa Oleifera. 

 

2. Nutritional Imbalances

Deficiencies

Lack of key nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, zinc, or boron can disrupt flower development or fruit set. Boron, in particular, is critical for pollen tube growth and fruit retention in avocados and many fruit trees. Boron deficiency has been identified as one of the major causes of flower abortion in avocados. To prevent this, ensure that you top-dress your plants with a balanced NPK fertilizer that has boron.

Over-Fertilization

A common mistake that farmers make is the application of CAN or NPK fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen during the flowering stage of their fruit trees. Excess nitrogen promotes vegetative growth at the expense of fruit development, leading to abortion as the tree prioritizes leaves over reproductive structures.

 

3. Poor Pollination

Avocados have a unique flowering behavior called "synchronous dichogamy." Each tree has both male and female flowers which open at different times. If pollinators (like bees) are absent during one of the flower opening phases, fertilization fails, and flowers abort.

Cold, rainy, or windy weather during bloom can reduce bee activity, affecting the pollination process, hence the fruit setting.  

To overcome this problem, ensure that you plant different varieties of avocados (or the other fruit you are farming) on the same piece of land. For example, avocado farmers plant both Hass and Fuerte varieties to take advantage of cross-pollination.

 

4. Pests and Diseases

Pests like thrips, mites, fruit flies, and the infamous false codling moth are a major cause of fruit and flower abortion in avocado and other fruits. These pests damage flowers or young fruit, prompting them to fall off. In avocados, thrips scarring is a common culprit.

Fungal infections such as anthracnose and botrytis, or bacterial diseases can kill flowers or fruit directly, or weaken the tree, leading to abortion.

An early arrest of these pests and diseases through proper chemical or organic control methods is the only way to overcome this problem.

 

5. Natural Thinning

In any flowering season, fruit trees always produce more flowers than they can sustain to maturity. This leads to a natural shedding process where weaker flowers or young fruits drop to allow the tree to focus its energies on the more potent flowers or fruits. This behavior is prevalent in avocados, even though it is common in apples, pears, and citrus too.

If photosynthesis is limited (e.g., due to shading or defoliation), the tree may naturally abort fruits to prioritize survival.

While this is a natural process, it is influenced by factors that we can control to some extent: for example, we should ensure that our trees have sufficient foliage (branches and leaves) before the onset of the flowering season. Proper pruning should also be done to remove damaged or diseased branches to keep the tree from concentrating on rejuvenating such parts, and directing the energy to sustaining as many fruits as possible.

 

6. Variety related Factors

Hass and Fuerte avocado varieties are very sensitive to stress. They also have poor pollen viability compared to other varieties. This also happens with other types of fruits; for example, certain apple varieties drop fruits more readily under suboptimal conditions.

To control fruit and flower abortion due to variety-related factors, ensure that you select the varieties that best suit the environmental conditions of your farm.

 

Important Notes

Avocados (and many other fruit types) experience a phenomenon called biennial bearing or alternate bearing – where the trees have a heavy crop yield one year and a typically low yield the next. The high yield year is called the “on-year” and the following low yield year is called the “off year.”

A lot of flower and fruit abortion happens during the off year. Controlling this phenomenon involves several strategies as explained in this article: How To Prevent Yield Fall in Fruit Farming: Stopping Alternate Bearing.

 

Summary: Fruit and Flower Abortion Mitigation Strategies

• Ensure consistent irrigation and drainage.
• Monitor and correct nutrient levels (e.g., foliar boron sprays).
• Protect pollinators by timing pesticide use and planting pollinator-friendly cover crops.
• Use windbreaks or shading to reduce environmental stress.
• Thin excessive fruit manually to reduce competition if natural drop is insufficient.

How To Prevent Yield Fall in Fruit Farming: Stopping Alternate Bearing

Have you ever noticed that your fruit trees give a lot of fruits one year, then very few the next year? This is called irregular bearing, also known as alternate bearing or biennial bearing.

It is a common challenge for fruit farmers in Kenya, especially those in avocado farming, even though citrus, apples, pears, and mango farmers also feel the pinch.

Alternate Bearing: One year's high yield leading to poor yield the next year

Alternate bearing occurs when a heavy yield in one year (the "on-year") depletes the tree’s “energy” – particularly carbohydrates, nutrients, and sometimes hormonal reserves – leading to reduced flowering or fruit set in the following year (the "off-year").

Controlling irregular bearing involves strategies to balance the tree’s reproductive and vegetative growth, manage resource allocation, and mitigate the stress of heavy cropping. Here’s how You can do it:

 

1. Fruit Thinning

Reducing the number of fruits on a tree in an "on-year" prevents the tree from overexerting itself, preserving carbohydrate reserves for the next season’s flowering.

How to Do It:

Manual Thinning: Physically remove excess young fruit shortly after fruit set (e.g., in avocados, thin when fruitlets are pea-sized). Aim to leave a sustainable number based on tree size and vigor.

Example: For avocados, thin to one fruit per cluster; for apples, aim for one fruit every 6-8 inches along branches.

 

2. Pruning

Pruning regulates the balance between vegetative growth and fruit production, preventing the tree from overloading with fruit in one year.

How to Do It:

Post-Harvest Pruning: After an "on-year" harvest, prune lightly to remove excessive fruiting wood and encourage new vegetative shoots, which will bear next year’s crop.

Annual Maintenance: Regular pruning (e.g., removing dead wood, thinning crowded branches) improves light penetration and air circulation, supporting consistent energy allocation.

Example: In avocados, avoid heavy pruning during flowering, but trim back vigorous shoots post-harvest. For apples, thin fruiting spurs annually.

 

3. Nutrient Management

Adequate and timely nutrition replenishes reserves depleted by a heavy crop, supporting bud formation for the next year.

How to Do It:

Post-Harvest Feeding: Apply a balanced NPK (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus) fertilizer after harvest in the "on-year" to rebuild reserves. For avocados, zinc and boron are also critical.

Avoid Over-Fertilization: Excessive nitrogen in the "off-year" can push vegetative growth over flowering so you should time your fertilizer applications to support the growth of new shoots just before the setting in of the flowering season.

Soil Testing: You should do your soil testing annually in order to monitor soil nutrient levels to ensure that the nutrients depleted by trees are quickly replenished.

 

4. Irrigation Management

Consistent water supply reduces stress that amplifies irregular bearing, ensuring the tree can support both current fruit and next year’s buds.

Maintain even soil moisture during fruit development and post-harvest, avoiding drought or waterlogging.

Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, supporting root health year-round.

 

5. Variety Selection and Rootstock

Some varieties and rootstocks are less prone to alternate bearing due to genetic traits or vigor.

For example, in avocado, the Hass variety is less erratic than Fuerte with proper management. In apples, ‘Gala’ or ‘Fuji’ may bear more consistently than ‘Granny Smith’.

Dwarfing rootstocks (e.g., M9 for apples) can moderate vigor and promote regular cropping compared to vigorous ones.

 

7. Crop Load Forecasting

Anticipating a heavy crop allows proactive intervention before resources are depleted. Assess the bloom intensity as soon as your fruit trees start flowering. Heavy flowering indicates a potential "on-year" which calls for thinning as explained earlier.

Also, track production patterns over years to predict and manage cycles.

 

Important Notes

Avocados are particularly prone to irregular bearing due to their high fruit load potential and sensitivity to environmental stress. Avocado farmers should therefore be very keen to ensure a balanced soil nutrient level all the time, cross-pollination by planting Hass and Fuerte varieties together, and finally, avoiding water stress during the prolonged fruit development season.

Breaking the irregular bearing cycle takes 2-3 years of consistent management. Start by reducing the "on-year" crop load and supporting recovery in the "off-year" with nutrition and pruning. Over time, the tree’s internal resource balance stabilizes, leading to more predictable yields.

How to Establish a Profitable Tomato Farm in Kenya

Step 1: Plan Your Business: Tomato Farming is a Business!

Identify Your Target Market

Tomato farming in Kenya is a capital-intensive business, so, it must be properly planned to avoid losses. As such, you must identify your target market before you put down your first shilling. To whom will you sell the tomatoes once they are ready?

Tomato Market in Kenya: Identifying a target market is crucial

Visit the local open-air markets and find out from whom the retailers buy their tomatoes – try to make a deal with them to buy your tomatoes once ready. Find the contacts of several major wholesale tomato buyers and make a deal with the one you deem best. If you intend to do large-scale tomato farming, approach structured markets such as supermarkets, schools, and hospitals.

Set aside the required capital

Farm inputs have become very expensive and establishing an acre of tomatoes in Kenya can consume as much as Ksh300,000 from planting to harvesting. I suggest that you have all the capital ready or at least have a reliable regular source before you start the project. This is very important because it ensures that you will plant, weed, spray, stake, apply fertilizer, and harvest at the right time. Delays in these activities can lead to serious losses.

See the Cost Analysis and Profitability section below for a breakdown of the inputs needed.

Step 2: Select the Right Tomato Variety

In Kenya, tomato farming is done either in open fields or under greenhouse systems. Here, I will give you only a few of the best varieties for each system.

Open-Field Tomato Varieties

• Terminator F1 – Determinate, fast-maturing, disease-resistant variety with a yield of up to 40 tons per acre.
• Bawito F1 – Fast maturing, disease resistant, heavy feeder with a long harvesting period and firm flesh that ensures long shelf life.
• Ansal F1 – New variety with high disease resistance, high yield, and very long shelf life. It is also early maturing (65 days from transplanting) but a heavy feeder.

Best tomato varieties in Kenya for open-field farming

There are many other hybrid tomato varieties in Kenya that are good, so do not be limited to these three. You can get ready seedlings to transplant from professional nurseries.

Greenhouse Tomato Varieties

The main advantage of greenhouse tomato varieties is their long lifespan: some of them are reported to keep bearing fruits for over 6 months without the need for establishing new plants. 

If your farm is in a cold rainy place, then you definitely need to construct a greenhouse and plant one of the varieties below:

• Anna F1 – High yield, large fruits, long shelf life.
• Tylka F1 – Disease resistant, grows well in greenhouses.
• Chonto F1 – High productivity, firm, red fruits.

Step 3: Select the Planting Site and Prepare the Land

When selecting the site for your tomato farming project:

• Choose a site with adequate sunlight: avoid areas that are often under shade from tall trees, buildings, or hills. (at least 6-8 hours/day).
• Avoid low-lying, flood-prone areas. Tomatoes are not tolerant to too much soil moisture.
• Choose an area with loamy soil for good drainage. The good news is that if your farm has black cotton soils, you only need to plant your tomatoes on raised beds and they will thrive.
• Remember to do a soil test before starting any new tomato planting project; even if you had done it earlier. The soil composition changes as crops take up the nutrients from the soil. Make all the soil amendments recommended in the soil test results.
• Plough and harrow the land to a fine texture ahead of transplanting. Determine the irrigation system you want to use and install the required infrastructure before transplanting. If you are using flood irrigation, make the terraces instead of harrowing.

Step 4: Transplanting Tomato Seedlings

Obtain high-quality, ready-to-plant seedlings of your chosen variety from a registered and certified nursery. Inspect the seedlings to ensure they are healthy, pest-free, and well-hardened. Here are important points to consider when transplanting the seedlings:

• Transplant during cool hours (morning/evening) to avoid stress.
• Spacing: 60 cm (row-to-row) × 45 cm (plant-to-plant).
• Apply DAP fertilizer at planting (1 teaspoon per hole) to boost root formation.
• Water immediately after transplanting.

 

Hi Quality, ready-to-plant tomato seedlings at Richfarm Kenya

Step 5: Crop Management (Watering, Fertilization, Pest and Disease Control)

Watering

While tomatoes require sufficient water, overwatering them could cause serious losses. There is no set or recommended number of times to irrigate tomatoes per week because water requirements vary depending on soil drainage and weather conditions. You should determine the best irrigation schedule for your farm.

Here’s what you should do: Check the soil moisture content by randomly picking a lump of soil from any part of your farm and squeezing it in your hand. If the soil sticks together, it still contains enough moisture: if it crumbles, it is time to irrigate.

Drip irrigation is the most recommended for tomato farming. However, flood irrigation is desirable to many farmers since it is cheaper – does not require a heavy capital outlay. We recommend that you never use overhead irrigation such as sprinklers since this creates a conducive environment for diseases.

Drip irrigation is the best system for tomato farming in Kenya

Fertilizer Application Schedule

This fertilizer application schedule is a general guideline. Your soil test results will give you accurate figures on what you need to apply.

• At planting – Apply DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) for root development.
• After 3-4 weeks – Apply CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate) to boost vegetative growth.
• During the flowering and fruiting stage – Apply NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium), with a higher potassium component to encourage fruit setting.

I also recommend that you include Foliar sprays (e.g., Vegimax, EasyGro) to enhance growth and yield. There are foliar sprays for the planting, vegetative, and fruiting stages, which should be used alongside the other fertilizers explained above.

Pest and Disease Control

Here are the common tomato pests and their treatment:

• Aphids & Whiteflies – Use light insecticides like Duduthrin and Actara, and include the use of sticky cards that are designed to attract and trap these insects.
• Tomato Hornworms – Hand-pick or use pesticides such as Thunder.
• Tuta absoluta (Tomato Leaf Miner) – Use pheromone traps, spray Belt or Tracer.

The common tomato diseases and their treatments are:

• Early & Late Blight – Spray Ridomil Gold or copper-based fungicides such as Funguran or GreenCop. Here is a comprehensive guide on How to Prevent and Control Late Blight in Tomatoes.

• Bacterial Wilt – Do not plant tomatoes on the same plot for 2 consecutive seasons. Crop rotate with other crops that are not in the tomato family: I recommend using legumes such as beans or peas for nitrogen-fixing. However, you can also crop rotate with leafy vegetable crops such as Kales, cabbages, manage, or terere.  Finally, be sure to use tomato varieties that are resistant to bacterial wilt.
• Fusarium Wilt – Ensure that you plant your tomatoes on well-drained soils. Keep improving the drainage of your farm through the addition of organic matter and making trenches to drain away excess water.

Step 6: Staking, Pruning, and Weeding

Staking (Supporting the Plants)

Use wooden stakes (1.5m tall) and tie plants using simple threads – the most affordable and commonly used in Kenya are nylon threads obtained from shredding gunias. Staking prevents fruits from touching soil and reduces diseases.

Staking is crucial to successful tomato farming

Pruning

Remove all the lower leaves and excess side shoots to improve airflow and focus energy on fruit development.

Weeding

Ensure your tomato farm is always free from weeds to prevent competition for nutrients. Mulching could help you achieve this as well as conserve moisture.

Step 7: Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling

Most hybrid tomatoes in Kenya mature 65-75 days after transplanting. Harvest when fruits are firm and slightly red so that they do not spoil during transportation. Use clean ventilated wooden or plastic crates to avoid bruising during storage and transportation. When packaging, remove all damaged, diseased or small fruits; ensure your produce shines in terms of quality in order to attract buyers and a good price.

Remember to store and transport your tomatoes in cool and dry conditions.

Step 8: Cost Analysis and Profitability

Land Preparation:

• Plowing, harrowing, and trench making: Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 20,000
• Soil testing: Approximately Ksh7,500

Planting Material:

• Certified seedlings: Approximately Ksh 40,000 for 8,000 seedlings (assuming a spacing of 60cm x 45cm)

Inputs:

• Fertilizers:
• D.A.P. (80 kg): Ksh 6,400  
• C.A.N. (120 kg): Ksh 9,600
• N.P.K. (120 kg): Ksh 9,600
• Manure: 8 tonnes of goat or cow manure at Ksh 1,000 per tonne: Total Ksh 8,000
• Manure: 8 tonnes of goat or cow manure at Ksh 1,000 per tonne: Total Ksh 8,000
• Agrochemicals (Pesticides and Fungicides): Approximately Ksh 22,000

Irrigation:

• Irrigation costs can vary significantly depending on the source of water, weather conditions, and soil type. An estimated cost for irrigating an acre from transplanting to harvesting is Ksh 70,000.

Labor:

• Approximately 100 man-days at Ksh 500 per day: Total Ksh 50,000

Land Leasing:

• Approximately Ksh 20,000 per year, though this can vary by region.

Miscellaneous Expenses:

• An estimated Ksh 30,000 to cover unforeseen costs.

Total Estimated Cost:

• Approximately Ksh 290,600 per acre.

 

Expected Returns (Per Acre)

• Yield: 15,000 – 20,000 kg per acre.
• Selling Price: Ksh 80 per kg (average).
• Revenue: 1,200,000 – 1,600,000 Ksh.
• Net Profit: 1,100,000 – 1,500,000 Ksh per acre (after expenses).

Step 9: Marketing and Selling Your Tomatoes

Right from step 1, we said that you should only start your tomato farming business if you have a target market in mind. It is a big mistake to start gambling with the market when you start harvesting. Start engaging your tomato buyers right from the start of your project and keep them posted on the progress and projected time of harvest.

Oftentimes, the buyers will request for samples before entering a purchasing deal. That bit calls for consistency in production and for that reason, I encourage first time tomato farmers in Kenya to start with the determinate or semi-determinate tomato varieties. These varieties have a longer harvesting period, giving the farmer enough time to provide samples and secure a serious market.

Step 10: Continuity, Scaling Up and Business Expansion

Like any other business, tomato farming in Kenya has a learning curve. For you to establish a truly profitable business in this area, you must endure the learning curve and take the lessons with you as you scale up and expand your business.

One big secret of success in tomato farming in Kenya is continuity: you must be a consistent supplier for you to lock in a stable market. This calls for continuous expansion to ensure that you not only serve your existing market well but also attract new and competitive buyers.

How to Establish a Commercial Hass Avocado Farm in Kenya

Kenya has become the leading exporter of Hass avocados in Africa, thanks to the tropical climate and the volcanic soils which are ideal for avocado farming. The high demand for Hass avocados continues to increase both locally and internationally due to their creamy texture, rich flavor, and long shelf life. This article provides a step-by-step guide to setting up a successful, commercial Hass avocado farm in Kenya..

Commercial Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya 

1. Visit and Learn From Existing Farmers

Before starting, you must take time to visit 2 or 3 farmers who are already producing and selling Hass avocados. Visiting established Hass avocado farms provides invaluable insights and practical knowledge that you won’t get through reading. Additionally, interacting with seasoned farmers allows you to understand current potential challenges such as pest outbreaks or market fluctuations, and how to overcome them. These visits also offer networking opportunities with other farmers and suppliers, which can prove beneficial as you establish your farm.

2. Select a Suitable Location

Hass avocado trees thrive in areas with specific climatic and soil conditions. Consider the following factors when choosing a location:

• Altitude: Ideal for elevations between 1,200 and 2,100 meters above sea level.
• Temperature: Hass avocados prefer temperatures between 20°C and 24°C.
• Rainfall: An annual rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm is suitable, but supplementary irrigation is necessary in drier regions.
• Soil: The soil should be well-drained, loamy, and rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

3. Prepare the Land

Once you have identified a suitable location, prepare the land:

• Clear the land of weeds and debris.
• Conduct soil tests to determine nutrient levels and pH.
• Apply necessary soil amendments such as lime or organic manure to optimize soil conditions.
• Create terraces if the land is on a slope to prevent soil erosion.

4. Source Quality Seedlings

Obtain certified Hass avocado seedlings from reputable nurseries to ensure high yields and disease resistance. Some of the trusted suppliers in Kenya include:

• Richfarm Kenya
• Kijani seeds and seedlings
• Avocado Society of Kenya

Ensure that the seedlings are grafted and healthy. Each seedling typically costs between Ksh 100 and Ksh 200.

5. Planting

• Dig planting holes measuring 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep, spaced 5-7 meters apart.
• Mix the topsoil with well-decomposed manure and fill the hole leaving only a small region fro irrigation.
• Place the seedling in the hole, ensuring the grafted union is above the soil level.
• Cover with the remaining soil and mulch around the base to retain moisture.

6. Irrigation and Water Management

Hass avocado trees require consistent watering, especially during the dry season. Invest in a reliable irrigation system, such as drip or micro-sprinkler irrigation, to maintain optimal soil moisture levels.

7. Fertilization and Pest Control

• Fertilization: Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizers and organic manure periodically to boost tree growth during the early stages of the farm establishment. Later, keep using organic manure and top-dressing with balanced NPK fertilizer.
• Pest and Disease Management: Common pests include thrips, mites, and fruit flies. Diseases such as root rot can be managed through proper drainage and fungicide application.

8. Pruning and Canopy Management

Prune your avocado trees once a year after harvesting to remove dead or diseased branches, improve air circulation, and allow sunlight to penetrate the canopy. This promotes healthier growth and higher yields.

9. Harvesting Marketing and Export

Hass avocados mature within 2-3 years after transplanting the grafted seedlings. The fruits are ready for harvest when they turn dark green and lose their glossy appearance. Once ready for harvesting, you only need to inform your export company and they will come to your farm to supervise the harvesting. They then take the produce to a collection center where it is sorted and graded based on size and quality. Ensure compliance with export standards, including GlobalGAP certification to avoid losing your produce due to poor quality.

If you would need help in establishing your avocado farm, do not hesitate to call us. 

Top 10 Most Profitable Crops in Kenya for 2025

When they say, "The next billionaires will be farmers," we know how true that is because we have seen numerous self-made, millionaires coming up from Kenya's agribusiness sector. This year, things can only get better in this sector as many countries in the world are opening their doors for Kenyan-grown food. Have you seen even the "big boys" investing in farming? They know what an opportunity there is in this sector.

10 Most profitable crops in Kenya

But what are the crops that are most profitable in Kenya? That is an important question you should ask before investing in agribusiness. Let me give you a list of the 10 most profitable crops to consider for 2025 in Kenya. 

1. Hass Avocados

Hass avocados have risen to become a major export crop in Kenya. An acre can hold about 150 trees, with each tree producing an average of 1,000 fruits annually. With export prices ranging from Ksh10 to Ksh30 per fruit, farmers can earn upwards of Ksh1 million per year from a single acre, even considering all the fruits that might not qualify for the export market. 

Hass avocado grows best in the cool and wet highlands but ambitious agripreneurs have established very successful avocado farms in hot and dry areas using irrigation. 

For more details about investing in this crop, read the detailed guide on "How to Establish a Commercial Hass Avocado Farm in Kenya"

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are used every day in every house and every restaurant in Kenya. This is the reason why they are one of the crops with the highest demand. Today, there are new tomato varieties, irrigation technologies, and crop protection methods that help farmers to harvest up to 30 tons per acre. The market prices average at Ksh50 per kg. That means you can make up to Ksh1.5 million per acre, in just 4 months.

Tomato farming in Kenya is practiced everywhere, but the farmers in hot and dry areas with access to irrigation water are the most advantaged ones. 

Please read more on How to Establish a Profitable Tomato Farm in Kenya

3. Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia farming in Kenya has grown in popularity due to the high demand for nuts in international markets. Regulations protecting the farmers against exploitation by macadamia processors have also been introduced. A well-maintained macadamia tree can yield up to 50 kg of nuts annually. A kilogram of macadamia nuts fetches between Ksh100 and Ksh200, a farmer can earn substantial income from a single acre planted with about 70 trees.

Just like the Hass avocado, Macadamia farming is best done in the cool and wet highlands but thrives also in hot and dry lowlands as long as the farmer has sufficient water for irrigation. 

4. Capsicum (Pilipili Hoho)

Capsicum is another high-value crop, particularly in urban markets. Grown in greenhouses or open fields, an acre can produce up to 20 tons in a year. The prices range between Ksh80 and Ksh150 per kg. The biggest catch with this crop is that it is very resilient, growing in almost any kind of climate and soil. It takes just about 3 months to get into commercial production hence giving a quick return on investment. 

5. Strawberries

Strawberries are becoming increasingly popular among Kenyan consumers, thereby creating a high-profit investment opportunity for the farmers. An acre of strawberries holds about 32,000 plants, each giving at least 1kg of fruits per year. The market prices range between Ksh100 and Ksh200 per kg.

Strawberries are best grown under net-houses or greenhouses in cool places. 

6. Passion Fruits

Purple passion fruits are highly sought after by exporters and juice makers. This crop thrives in most Kenyan climates.  With proper care, an acre can yield up to 15 tons annually. Prices can go as high as Ksh300 per kg during the low season. When production increases, the price per kilo averages at Ksh100.

The market for passion fruit is assured but the initial farm setup cost has been the greatest hindrance for many potential investors. 

7. Kales (Sukuma Wiki)

Are you surprised to find this crop in this list? Remember, Sukuma wiki is a staple vegetable, consumed in almost every homestead, especially in rural and urban middle-class populations. As such, sukuma wiki has always been in demand and its farming provides a sure way of making money within 3 months. 

Sukuma wiki grows basically anywhere in Kenya and an acre can yield up to 20 tons annually.  The average market price is Ksh20–50 per kg. That does not seem to be a high profit but remember that Kale farming requires very low capital hence the return on investment is quite high.

8. Onions

Onions should have actually come 3rd, after tomatoes. Just like tomatoes, onions are used in pretty much every meal that any Kenyan cook prepares. They are therefore a high-demand crop, with a relatively long shelf life - the perfect description of a cash cow in the form of a crop. 

Onions also grow best in dry areas with irrigation. However, some varieties thrive in cool and wet regions. An acre can produce up to 20 tons and the market price is Ksh30–150 per kg - a huge fluctuation that calls for careful planning to avoid harvesting when there is a glut in the market. 

9. Potatoes

Think about all the chips eaten in Nairobi, all the Mukimo, roast and sauteed potatoes! Irish potatoes are the epitome of dietary staples. Potatoes in Kenya are mostly cultivated in the cold highlands but can also grow in warmer areas, albeit with lower yields. Farmers can harvest up to 20 tons per acre, with market prices averaging Ksh30–60 per kg.

Potatoes mature in just 3 months meaning a farmer can have 3 farming cycles every year. 

10. Watermelon

Watermelon is the fruit you are sure to find on every breakfast table in Kenya, every meal at a wedding or funeral, and in every fruit vendor's shop. The demand sours even higher during the hot season; that is when you will see girls with buckets hawking watermelon everywhere in town. 

Watermelon farming thrives in hot areas where an acre can produce up to 30 tons in a season. The market prices range between Ksh30 and Ksh50 per kg. The initial capital for watermelon farming is not as high as in tomato farming hence becoming the most attractive option for beginners in farming for business.

Final advice to potential investors

Farming in Kenya offers immense opportunities for making money. However, you should never think of it as a way of making quick riches. It will call for your careful planning, dedication and most importantly, patience.