Blueberries are perennial flowering plants of the genus “vaccinium” which are typically cultivated for their dark berries. The berries can be eaten raw or added to processed foods such as jams, yogurt, and baked foods. Growing blueberries in Kenya is a very profitable and sustainable business, probably because this is a new form of agriculture in the country. The fruits have high nutrient content and antioxidant properties, making them a popular choice among health-conscious consumers. The demand for these fruits outpaces supply and continues to grow as more people become aware of it, and farmers are taking advantage of it by growing the fruit for exports.
Health benefits associated with blueberries.
1. Can be helpful in maintaining eye health. The regular inclusion of blueberries in your diet can enhance your vision and protect you from age-related macular degeneration.
2. Can help with gastrointestinal disorders. May alleviate gastrointestinal issues and UTIs. Traditional medicine suggests that blueberries can be a helpful remedy for gastrointestinal problems and urinary tract infections.
3. Blueberries are among the best antioxidant foods. Antioxidants protect your body against free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage your cells and contribute to aging and illnesses like cancer.
4. Blueberries have the potential to reduce blood pressure. Blueberries seem to have significant benefits for people with hypertension, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
5. Blueberries have many benefits and can help prevent cardiac illness. While consuming blueberries may reduce blood pressure and oxidize LDL cholesterol, it is important to keep in mind that these are risk factors, not actual illnesses.
5. Blueberries can help maintain cerebral function and enhance memory. Oxidative stress can speed up the aging process of your brain, adversely affecting brain function. Based on animal studies, antioxidants in blueberries can affect areas of your brain that are vital for intelligence.
Photo _ courtesy. Blueberries farming.
Ecological requirements for blueberry farming.
Soil. Blueberries are highly sensitive to soil pH and require acidic soils to be successful. The optimal soil pH is 4.8 to 5.2, though concentrations of up to 5.5 are acceptable. Soil pH may also gradually reduce with the use of acid-reactive fertilizers.
Irrigation. The amount of water needed for each plant or plantation depends on the type of soil, precipitation, and weather conditions. Compared to other fruit crops, blueberries do not require a great deal of water, but care must be taken to ensure that moisture remains constant but is not overloaded. Most farms irrigate with aerial sprinklers, which are also used to provide protection against spring frost.
In most areas where highbush blueberries may be grown, mulching is critical to successful production. While mulch helps to save moisture, it does not remove the need for irrigation.
Temperature. Blueberries also need a cool climate with temperatures between 10 and 20°C. Blueberries should be planted in full sun for a minimum of 8 hours daily.
Site selection. Ideally, blueberries should be planted on a slightly slippery grade to ensure good drainage of air and water. Blueberry roots are very sensitive to stagnant water and therefore need good surface and internal drainage. Blueberries prefer loamy or sandy ground. The red volcanic soils of central Kenya are perfect because they are also slightly acidic.
Propagation of blueberries.
Numerous methods may be used for the spread of blueberries;
Cuttings. Blueberries can be bred by cuttings of coniferous or deciduous stems. Softwood cuttings are often the preferred commercial method, as they tend to have a better and more rapid rooting success.
Layering. Stratification is a breeding method used as a replacement for cuttings. All you need is a flexible branch that will bend off the ground, moist, soil, and a bit of root hormone stimulator. In the spring, buds sprout on branches that are used for planting.
Seeds. You can purchase seeds or remove them from your berries. It is straightforward to extract the seeds, but it is important to understand that the seeds of hybrid plants do not produce plants of the same qualities as the parents.
Suckers. If you find that your shrubs are sprouting within inches of your parents’ crown send shoots within inches of the crown of the plant, you can use it to propagate a new shrub.
Fertilization: Blueberries require regular fertilization with acidic fertilizer to promote growth and increase yield. The application of fertilizer must be carried out in accordance with the specific needs of the soil and the plant.
How long does it take for blueberries to reproduce?
A blueberry tree takes about two years to produce fruit, and about four years before it begins to grow more heavily and reliably.
The average production per acre for blueberries in Kenya can vary depending on several factors such as the variety, soil and climate conditions, fertilization and irrigation practices, pest and disease control, and harvesting techniques. On average, a well-managed blueberry farm in Kenya can grow between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds (2,722-3,628 kilograms) of blueberries per acre per year.
Pests and diseases.
Smaller pests may also include blueberry maggots, blueberry stem borers, cranberry fruit worms, cherry fruit worms, Japanese beetles, leaf rollers, leaf hoppers, and aphids.
Diseases include mummy berry, Botrytis grey mold, Anthracnose, stem blight, stem canker, rust, phytopthora root rot, Phomopsis twig blight, blueberry stunt, and numerous viruses. https://www.sustainablemarketfarming.com/tag/blueberry-pests-and-diseases/#:~:text=Diseases%20include%20mummy%20berry%2C%20Botrytis,may%20be%20affecting%20your%20crop.
Blueberry cultivation in Kenya is an achievable agro-industry that farmers can use as an alternative crop as it has a reliable market both locally and internationally. The only challenge facing farmers is the lack of knowledge about how blueberries are produced. Training and raising farmers’ awareness are therefore important for stimulating these agro-industries.
References
https://www.richfarmkenya.com/2023/01/blueberry-farming-in-kenya-new-gold-in.html
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