Status and Challenges Facing Pineapple (Ananas comosus) Production in Magarini Sub-County of Kilifi County in Coastal Kenya

Abstract

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is one of the five important value chains in Kilifi County and is grown under small scale farming and under rain-fed conditions. There are six distinct pineapple growing areas and CBOs in Magarini namely Changoto, Danisa, Faith, Chamari, Bore-Singwaya and Baricho-Mwanazi. This crop has a big market share but the region can hardly meet the market demand. The pineapples are cultivated in special soils indicated by the presence of certain virgin forests and vegetation types. However, these pineapple farmers face a myriad of challenges that limit full exploitation of the 20,000Ha pineapple growing potential. It is in this regard that a rapid rural appraisal (RRA) study was conducted facilitated by Micro-Enterprise Support Programme Trust with the funding of Danida to establish the current situation on pineapple cultivation in Magarini Sub-County to inform the type of intervention strategies to use. Methodology used involved sampling of 60 farmers out of the total population of 600 pineapple farmers in the six growing areas. The 60 farmers represented 10% sample size. These farmers were selected for focus group discussions and interviews. Methods and tools used for data collection included transect travels across and through the six pineapple growing areas, making observations, taking photographs, meeting key informants and farmers for focus group discussions, and individual interviews. Obtained data was subjected to descriptive analysis. Frequency charts obtained were used to make inferences for discussion. The findings indicated that capital investment required for pineapple establishment was too high. Planting material constituted over 50% of the total investment. Pineapple cultivation is conducted under shift cultivation system, where farmers move to open new virgin forests every 3-4 years since the farmers do not use inorganic fertilizers as contract buyers prefer organically produced fruits. Sokoke (loamy clay) soils were the best soils for pineapple growing unlike Soso (sandy loam) soils or Ngama (clayey) soils. Grabs, beetles, birds, mealy bugs and millipedes were the major pests of pineapples. The MD2 pineapple variety being introduced was susceptible to pests and diseases that caused death of the central apical stem inducing production of tillers (suckers).