Apple farmers launch KAGEA to boost farming of the product in the country

Apple farmers and faming stakeholders from various parts of the country in conjunction with international delegation from various parts of the world launched the Kenya Apple Growers and Exports Association (KAGEA) yesterday in Nairobi.

The lucrative business is foreseen as a game changer to substitute other farm products in the agricultural sector in the country and is expected to set Kenya as a competitive nation in apple production to serve both locally and export purposes.

“We are proud to launch the association because a lot of farmers have been discouraged by coffee and tea growing,” observed Mathew Njenga, chairman KAGEA.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has accredited Wambugu Apple, a local variety essentially thriving well in the country.

In Kenya, apples are grown in highlands of Kenya including Kericho, Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, Bomet, Mount Elgon, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Laikipia among other parts seen as potential commercial apple production areas.

“Let’s try, and don’t give up, if you miss the first round, continue. Hustlers’ Fund is coming, so use the fund to improve apple farming,” Beatrice Kemei, Kericho County women representative.

Kenya imports apple products worth 14.9 Million dollars and the move by over 200 farmers from different parts of the country to come together is projected to help counter the importation of apples to save the country with the locally grown product.

The Western Cape in South Africa is the largest traditional apple production region accounting for more than half of the apple production in the country which is then exported to other countries globally including Kenya.

The average maturity of an apple tree is 9 to 12 months while an average healthy and well cared apple tree is projected to live for over 25 years based on climatic conditions.

An apple tree rarely produces many fruits after its 50th year of age.

Commonly grown apples favoured in South Africa as well as other parts of Africa comprise of Sweeter apples, such as Royal Gala, Fuji with relatively new apple varieties including Cripp’s Pink and Pink Lady, Cripp’s Red, Joya and Kanzi.

Currently the most rapidly growing new variety is Kanzi which was bred in Belgium.