In Meru County, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital, John Mutwiri, a 32-year-old primary school dropout, has defied odds and created a thriving livelihood through the cultivation of strawberries in an area traditionally known for tea, coffee, and bananas.
Mutwiri’s journey into strawberry farming began with a spark of curiosity and a meager capital investment of Ksh10,000.
Armed with determination and a thirst for knowledge, he ventured into the world of strawberries, enticed by their reputation for high productivity, low input costs, and promising market prices.
What sets Mutwiri apart is his keen understanding of the market.
Recognizing the importance of knowing his avenues, he forged partnerships with various retail chains, including Nakumatt Supermarkets, which purchase his delectable fruits.
His main client, a local yoghurt-making company, has become a steady customer, along with smaller buyers like juice makers and vendors in Meru town’s bustling main market.
But success in strawberry farming isn’t just about finding buyers—it’s about nurturing the plants themselves.
John Mutwiri emphasizes the need for constant vigilance, as strawberry plants mature quickly, and replacing old plants is crucial to maintaining consistent yields.
“Strawberry plants can last for about four years on the farm. However, when they are more than a year or two old, their yields start to decline. It is important to replace the plants every year to maintain quality,” he advises.
Cultivation practices also play a vital role in strawberry farming.
Mutwiri shares an invaluable tip: water the roots, not the leaves.
This simple yet effective technique prevents moisture from accumulating on the leaves, reducing the risk of fungus and other diseases that can harm the crop.
In a world that increasingly favors controlled environments like greenhouses, Mutwiri has found success by embracing the open field.
Contrary to popular belief, he argues that strawberries grown in the open yield superior results in terms of productivity and taste. His own experience attests to this fact.
The speed at which strawberries mature is another factor in Mutwiri’s favor.
In just three months from planting, his strawberries are ready for harvest. But timing is critical.
Mutwiri cautions that strawberries are highly perishable and require meticulous attention. Daily checks and timely harvesting ensure that the fruits do not go to waste.
Harvesting is a meticulous process.
Each day, the ripe strawberries are handpicked, graded, and packed right in the field. Quality is paramount, and he grades the fruits based on weight, size, and color.
With every 30-kilogram harvest in a day, he earns approximately Ksh12,000, a substantial amount that he’s diligently saving to fulfill his dream of starting a dairy farm.
Diversification has proven to be another key strategy in Mutwiri’s journey. Understanding the delicate nature of strawberry plants, he has expanded his farming endeavors to include passion fruits.
This strategic move not only diversifies his income streams but also acts as a safety net against potential challenges in the strawberry market.
