Persimmon Farming: A Golden Fruit with Big Potential

Walk into high-end supermarkets in Nairobi or Mombasa, and you might notice small orange fruits sitting quietly on the shelves, usually wrapped neatly or packed in trays. That’s persimmon; sweet, golden-orange, and often called the “fruit of the gods.”

While not very common in Kenya yet, persimmon is steadily gaining attention among health-conscious consumers, nutritionists, and fruit traders.

For farmers, this is an opportunity to get into a niche crop before the market becomes crowded. Persimmons are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.

Unlike mangoes or bananas that are familiar to every household, persimmons carry a unique exotic appeal, making them attractive to supermarkets, hotels, and the export market.

• Premium prices: A single persimmon fruit can sell for KSh 80–150 in Nairobi’s upmarket stores.
• High yields: A mature tree can produce 80–120 fruits annually, offering significant income from just 100 trees.
• Global demand: Countries like Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe consume persimmons in large volumes, with exporters exploring supply from Kenya.

Suitable Climate and Soil

Persimmons love mild to warm climates.

• Temperature: 15–28°C. Too much heat or prolonged drought may affect fruit size, while extreme cold or frost damages young trees.
• Best Counties: Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kericho, Nakuru, and Western highlands with moderate rainfall and good drainage. Semi-arid regions can work with irrigation.
• Soil: Deep, loamy, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). Heavy clay soils cause root rot, while sandy soils need plenty of manure to retain fertility.

Land Preparation and Planting

• Clear the land of weeds and prepare deep holes to accommodate the root system.
• Hole size: 60 × 60 × 60 cm.
• Spacing: 6 m × 6 m in open field orchards, accommodating about 100–120 trees per acre.
• Manure/fertilizer: Mix topsoil with 20–25 kg of well-rotted manure and about 200 g of DAP or another phosphate fertilizer per hole.
• Seedlings: Grafted persimmon seedlings cost KSh 1,000 each from Seedfarm or Organicfarm (+254 712 075 915 | oxfarmorganic@gmail.com). Grafted seedlings ensure uniformity, earlier fruiting, and better quality.
  Plant at the onset of rains (March–May or October–November) or any time with irrigation. Mulch after planting to conserve moisture.

Care and Management

• Watering: Young trees need frequent watering until well established. Mature trees are relatively drought-tolerant but require supplemental irrigation during long dry spells, especially when flowering and fruiting.
• Fertilization:
  • Apply compost or farmyard manure annually around the base of each tree.
  • Use NPK (17:17:17) during the first few years for balanced growth.
  • Once trees start fruiting, shift to fertilizers rich in potassium and calcium to improve fruit size, sweetness, and shelf life.
• Pruning: Remove dead or diseased branches, thin out crowded shoots, and shape trees to allow sunlight penetration. This reduces pests and improves fruit quality.

Pest and Disease Management

Persimmons are fairly hardy, but watch for:

• Fruit flies: Major menace, especially in warm zones. Use traps and recommended sprays.
• Scale insects and mealybugs: Weaken branches. Control with horticultural oils (KSh 600/litre) or systemic insecticides.
• Anthracnose and leaf spots: Common fungal issues, controlled with copper-based fungicides.
  Good orchard hygiene—removing fallen fruits and pruning—prevents infestations.

Harvesting

• Persimmons typically start producing fruits 3–4 years after planting if grafted. Seedlings may take 6–7 years.
• Fruits are ready when they turn a deep orange color and feel slightly soft (for astringent varieties) or firm but fully colored (for non-astringent types).
• Handle carefully to avoid bruising, as persimmons are delicate.
• Yields: A mature tree yields 20–30 kg of fruit per season. With 100 trees per acre, that translates to 2–3 tons of fruit.

Market Opportunities

• Supermarkets: Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Mombasa sell persimmons to health-conscious buyers.
• Hotels and restaurants: Catering to expatriates or high-end clientele.
• Direct sales: Farmer’s markets for health-conscious buyers.
• Export markets: Europe, Japan, and South Korea offer opportunities for consistent supply.
• Value addition: Jams, dried fruit, juices, and desserts fetch higher prices.

Challenges

• Limited awareness: Many Kenyan consumers don’t yet know persimmons, so market creation is key.
• Seedling availability: Few nurseries stock quality grafted seedlings.
• Delicate fruit handling: Persimmons bruise easily and need proper packaging and cold storage (5–7°C, 85–90% humidity) for longer shelf life.
• Initial patience: Persimmons take years before serious returns kick in.

Practical Tips for Kenyan Farmers

• Start with a small orchard (20–50 trees) to test the market.
• Source grafted seedlings for faster fruiting and better quality.
• Form cooperatives to access export markets and share post-harvest facilities.
• Explore agro-tourism by showcasing persimmon orchards to attract visitors.

Persimmon farming is not your everyday quick-cash venture, but it’s a long-term orchard investment with strong potential.

With demand rising globally and slowly taking root in Kenya, early adopters are likely to enjoy premium prices before the market floods.

For farmers ready to diversify beyond common fruits, persimmons present a golden opportunity. It’s a fruit that blends beauty, nutrition, and profitability—and with patience, it can become a signature crop for Kenyan orchards.