BASIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO A FARMER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FRUIT ORCHARD ESTABLISHMENT.

1.Ecological balance

This aspect refers to the interaction between ecosystems resulting to coexistence or survival by the related species. The system involves human beings, birds, animals, microorganisms, insects etc. As a farmer its always viable to venture into fruit tree farming since they are the initial beneficiaries of the project in the following ways

  • Fruit trees established near homesteads provide shade and air purification to the population while in return human beings manage and take care of the tree through watering and maintenance.
  •  Fruit orchards also provide shelter and breeding areas/ “homes’’ to the birds and other animals such as bats while other species create pleasant environment through sweet melodies in the morning.
  • Microorganism benefit by getting food from leaves falling from the trees and in return promote decomposition of the litter usable by the trees, this reduces the amount of synthetic fertilizers a farmer uses. This also helps in improving soil structure, texture, aeration etc.
  • Fruit trees supports insects such as bees which in return facilitates pollination and in the long run the farmers gets higher fruit production and honey.
  •  Soil conservation by reducing soil erosion since the roots holds the soil particles together.
  • Trees perform the photosynthesis process whereby they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This process aids in reducing the greenhouse effects that threatens global warming.
  • Phytoremediation which refers to the ability of the soil to absorb harmful chemicals/pollutants present in the soil.
  • Trees acts like a carbon sink. In general tree store carbon mainly in their system and the soil. While they mainly pull carbon out of the atmosphere—making them a sink—they also release carbon dioxide. This occurs naturally, such as when a tree dies and is decomposed (thereby releasing carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases).

The rule of the thumb is fruit trees play a greater role in ecosystem maintenance.

Here is a list of fruit seedlings so that you can consider.

Here is the list of seedlings and their price in (Ksh).
Hass avocados@150
Grafted tree tomato @100
Fuerte avocado @150
Passion plants grafted @70
Yellow passion @50
Mangoes @150
Oranges @150
Tangerines @150
Guavas @100
Pawpaw @60
Apples @350
Macadamia @350
Lemons @100
Lime @150
Pomegranates @300
Pears @300
Plums @350
Kiwi @400
Grapes table/wine @300
Upland Arrow roots suckers @100
Pixie orange seedlings @250
Custard apple @100
Plantain @500
Dragon fruit @800
Tissue culture bananas @180
Strawberries @50