INTRODUCTION

There are many beneficial effects of the fruits on our health. If you want to lead a better life, then the juice of the pomegranate can help you in an impressive way. The following points can help you to understand why you need to consume the juice of pomegranate;

  • The pomegranate is full of antioxidant agents that can help you to get rid of the effects of the free radicals on the human body.
  • Vitamin C is present in this fruit at a large amount that can help you to stay away from the infections, cold and cough, flu and more. It can also strengthen the immune system.
  • This fruit is effective to prevent prostate cancer.
  • The anti-oxidant agents in this fruit juice can keep you away from the forgetfulness. You can get a better concentration by consuming this fruit juice.
  • Digestion system can be kept well functioned by consuming the seeds of the pomegranate.
  • The anti-inflammatory agents in this fruit juice can keep you away from the chronic digestive disease.
  • You can reduce the joint pains and arthritis by consuming the pomegranate.
  • Heart disease can be improved by taking pomegranate. It can give you a remarkable result in reducing Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and other kinds of arthritis problems as well.
  • Pomegranate is full of vitamin K, potassium, folate and more elements that can help you to get a strong and steady health.

Botanical family, Punicaceae has two members of which the commercially grown pomegranate is of commercial importance. It is botanically called Punica granatum. It is deciduous shrub growing to a height of 6-10 meters. It has numerous spiny branches and narrow, oblong leaves. The flowers have between 3-7 petals and are bright red in color.

Botanically, the red to purple colored fruits are called as berry since both seeds and pulp are produced from a single flower. The skin has 2 parts- the harder pericarp and an inner mesocarp. The mesocarp is spongy and the edible seeds or arils are attached to it. The seeds are juicy, and their number can vary from 200 to 1400 in a single fruit.

Propagation is done from cuttings or seeds (now available at the OxfarmAg nurseries). Cuttings are rooted by placing them in a light mix with about 2-3 inches of their top exposed. The rooted cuttings are then transferred into pots where they are taken care of for about 8-16 weeks.

Ecological Requirement

Climate

Pomegranates can do well in a wide range of climates. In Kenya, the plant does very well especially in areas with evenly distributed rainfall. The trees are sensitive to wind and hence windy areas should be avoided. During ripening the plants require high temperatures which aid in fruit development. A humid climate adversely affects the formation of the fruit.

Soils

Pomegranates can tolerate a wide range of soils. They grow best in fertile, deep, loamy soils rich in humus. The optimal pH range is 5.5-6.5. The plants require well-drained soils but can tolerate mild flooding.

Harvesting

Pomegranate takes only one - three year to bear fruits. The fruit is harvested when it has the right color, the blossom end is dry and it comes off the stem easily. Harvest is determined by the acid and sugar contents. Fruits are harvested using shears, by clipping them. The fruit can be eaten as a whole, included in salads or used to make juice. A healthy Pomegranate tree can produce up to 12 to 15 kg/ plant yield during the first year. From the second year onwards, the yield per plant is around 15 to 20 kg.

An acre accommodates 200 trees with a spacing of 4m by 5m.

Value addition

  • Fresh pomegranate juice on dark background

Apart from selling the fruit or consuming it while is raw, what else can you do?

  1. Pomegranate juice (Local retailers are selling the juice between Kshs. 360 and Kshs.500)
  2. Pomegranate molasses

A Pomegranate seedling retails at Kshs.300

To place your orders Contact us;

Western/Coastal Region

Call 0706222888

WhatsApp https://wa.me/254706222888

Nairobi region

Call 0769623300

Whatsapp https://wa.me/254769623300

Nakuru region

Call 0740000044

Whatsapp https://wa.me/254740000044

Mt Kenya region

Call 0742194880

Whatsapp https://wa.me/254742194880

Eldoret region

Call 0710588060

Whatsapp https://wa.me/254710588060