French beans farming in Kenya: Guide and earnings per acre
Have you been thinking of tapping into the benefits of Kenya's export market? French beans are some of the crops that dominate Kenya's export market. When you plant them on your parcel of land, you'll be thinking of exporting them in less than two months. But how much do you know about French beans farming in Kenya? TUKO.co.ke spoke to Peter Jaika, a distinguished agronomist, to gain expert insight into French beans farming.
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Horticulture is the third largest foreign exchange earner in Kenya. Flowers account for the largest share of the total horticulture exports. Fresh produce, including French beans, accounts for about 30 percent of horticultural exports. The European Union is the leading export destination for all the horticultural produce in Kenya.
French beans farming in Kenya
French beans belong to the Fabaceae family. They are locally referred to as Mishiri. The beans are bred and cultivated for their pods and seeds. There are different varieties of the crop. Some commonly grown varieties include Serengeti, Samantha, Teresa, Amy, Rexas, Belcampo, Pekara, and Paulista.
The crop thrives well in warm-wet regions of Kenya that receive an annual rainfall of between 900-1200mm. Some areas where you can find French beans include Thika, Kirinyaga, Kajiado, Nyeri, Naivasha, Uasin Gishu, and Machakos. You can grow French beans under irrigation if you live in a dry area.
Harvesting of French beans
Harvesting of French beans can be done before the pods are fully mature. How long does French beans take to mature? The average maturity period is 45 - 60 days. You can harvest the pods between 42 and 56 days after planting, depending on the variety.
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The pods should be picked three times per week during the harvesting period. The harvesting should continue for a period of 1.5 - 2 months. You should harvest the immature pods before they are fully grown to maintain export quality.
They should be harvested early in the morning when the temperatures are cool. It is important to note that the crop is highly perishable and should only be harvested when there is a ready market.
How profitable is French beans farming in Kenya?
French beans is one of the most marketable crops you can grow on your land. How much do French beans yield per acre in Kenya? An acre can produce 6 to 9 tonnes of French beans.
But the cost of French beans varies depending on the season. The farm gate price for French beans is Kshs 21 per kg. During the high season, the price of French beans varies between Kshs 70 and Kshs 100 per kg.
If you harvest 6 tonnes per acre, you will pocket between Ksh 420,000 and Ksh 600,000. During the low season, the price drops to Kshs. 30 per kg. If you harvest 6 tonnes per acre, you will pocket between Kshs 420,000 and Kshs 600,000 during the peak seasons.
Where to sell French beans
The consumption rate of French beans in Kenya is quite low. You can sell the produce to restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and supermarkets. But, most farmers produce the crop for export. The produce is mainly exported to Europe.
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Some countries where you can export French beans include Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, and the United Kingdom. The peak export period is between May and October.
Interview with an agronomist on French beans farming
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Peter Jaika, a distinguished agronomist and farm manager at Happy Valley Herbs and Vegetables Farm, shared best practices in French beans farming and offered insights on how farmers can turn the venture into a profitable enterprise.
Q: As an agronomist, what are the key considerations for Kenyan farmers when planning French beans cultivation to ensure healthy growth and high-quality produce?
Do soil and water analysis. A pH of 6.5-7.5 is optimum. Know that your water quality is important. EC below 2.5ds/cm is good. There should also be enough water for irrigation in case rain is scarce. For rain-fed, 900mm-1200mm per annum is required. 80000L of water may be needed per Ha. Additionally, choose good climatic conditions. 900mm-1200mm rainfall per annum, well-drained soil and 20-30 degrees of temperature.
Further, there should be proper fertilizer application and proper pest and disease management. Consider also proper harvesting techniques and which may need training. Also, there should be proper cold chain management to avoid dehydration. Finally, comply with market standards and have proper marketing strategies.
Q: How can farmers balance the demands of high productivity in French beans farming with sustainable practices, such as water management and soil fertility preservation, especially in regions with variable rainfall patterns?
You can do crop rotation, for example, with maize, cabbages, etc. Also, practice nutrient recycling by ploughing plant debris. Ensure you do frequent soil testing to determine nutrient levels and soil pH. Similarly, practice efficient water usage. You can achieve that by the use of drip irrigation, evening and morning irrigation.
Q: With Kenya being a major exporter of French beans to markets like the European Union, what strategies do you advise farmers to adopt to meet stringent international quality and safety standards?
They should work with agricultural professionals and seek more information from experts.
Q: From your perspective as an agronomist, what emerging trends or innovations in agronomy are shaping the future of French beans farming?
Precision farming. It is data-driven for decision-making.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you use fertilizer on French beans? Yes, you can use fertilizer on French beans. You need to use basal and foliar fertilizers on French beans to achieve maximum yield. When the crop begins to flower, you need to topdress it using nitrogenous fertilizers.
- How much is one bag of beans in Kenya? The price of one bag of beans varies between Kshs 10,000 and Kshs 15,000, depending on the quality and type of beans.
- How many tonnes of French beans can you harvest per acre? You can harvest 6 to 9 tonnes of French beans per acre.
- How much is 1kg of French beans in Kenya? The price of 1kg of French beans varies between Kshs 21 and Kshs 100 per kg, depending on the season.
- Do French beans need a lot of water? Yes, French beans need a lot of water. They require an average annual rainfall of between 900-1200mm. If rainfall is inadequate, you should consider irrigation to achieve maximum yield.
- How many days does it take French beans to mature? French beans take between 45 - 60 days to mature. You can harvest the pods between 42 and 56 days after planting, depending on the variety.
You now know everything you need to know about French beans farming in Kenya. This crop should be at the top of your list of crops to grow on your land as it requires you to have basic knowledge about farming practices. If you want to get the most from your harvest, consider exporting the produce to Europe.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
Teresia Mwangi (Lifestyle writer) Teresia Mwangi is a writer and reporter with 10 years of experience. She studied Mass Communication at the University of Nairobi (2012). Teresia enjoys writing about trending topics, entertainment, travelling, politics, sports and technology. She joined Tuko in 2018. Teresia has also been a writer at Writersdomain.net. In 2023, Teresia finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Teresia was named the "The Writer of the Year" in 2023. In 2024, she expanded her writing skills by enrolling for the Google Initiative course. You can reach her via smithgwen434@gmail.com
Clinton Nyabuto (Lifestyle journalist) Clinton Nyabuto is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over five years of professional experience in digital journalism. He has previously worked with the Standard Media Group as a Digital Writer and Sub-Editor, Scooper News Kenya as a Content Editor, and Nairobileo.co.ke as a Content Writer and Editor. For inquiries, contact him via email: clinton.nyabuto@tuko.co.ke.
