An Embu paw paw farmer has been making Sh40,000 weekly from his two-and-half acres farm.
Simon Nyaga, who hails from Nguruka sublocation in Runyenjes, Embu East,has succeeded in paw paw farming despite the fruit being downplayed amongst other fruits within the county.
Nyaga says he started as a vegetable farmer then joined muguka farming, a khat of green and bushy variety, before settling for paw paws.
He said for the two years he has been farming paw paws he has enjoyed the adventure and profited from his hard work.
High demand for the fruit made him consider and invest in paw paw farming.
"The best part is that paw paw is consumed by people of all ages unlike some of the crops which I used to plant before," Nyaga said.
The farmer has planted over 2,000 paw paws.
Paw paws are harvested upon turning yellow .
Nyaga harvests an average of 1,500kg per week amounting to Sh40,000.
He says paw paw farming has the easiest and cheapest procedures compared to the other plants he has farmed.
According to Nyaga, paw paw responds well to organic inputs and this makes him benefit more from goat manure which he applies on his paw paw stems.
He says for one to ensure proper yields, paw paw has to be cared for from the planting as a seedling to harvesting.
Nyaga says planting certified paw paw seedlings is the first step to assurance of a fruitful farming.
"A farmer should also plant in a three feet by three feet and one foot depth hole, six feet apart to ensure the paw paws have the right environment for maximum yield," he said.
He added that water is very essential in paw paw farming at early stage as watering will ensure the plant easily absorb the nutrients from the soil.
For the past months, Nyaga has been watering his plants weekly as water is scarce in his area but that has not affected his plants.
Paw paw requires low rainfall and this suits Nyaga since he borders lower Embu which receives low rainfall.
Nyaga plants different paw paw varieties in his farm each characterised by different attributes.
He said he plants from Malkia classified as F1, Redreole, Fega, Sp, Mountain and indigenous paw paws.
However, his farm faces several challenges which he has developed different solutions to.
He cited attack from red mite and white flies as his number one enemy followed by lack of irrigation water in his locality.
"Red mite attacks paw paw leaves leading to shedding off. Powdery mildew also attacks the leaves and flowers which shed off," he said.
Nyaga urged the state to intervene and provide water for irrigation as this will attract more farmers in paw paw farming.
He says focus on paw paw faming will play a role in enhancing President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda of food security.
Paw paws demand is as a result of it's linked health benefits.
The fruit is rich in vitamin C which boosts the human immune system.
It also helps the body in absorbing nutrients such as iron and calcium.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
