Any crop will give you the best produce when grown in optimal conditions. By optimal, we mean the most favorable. All factors including temperature, sunlight, and water ought to be the most favorable for a crop to give maximum yields. The primary objective of a greenhouse in farming is to ensure optimal conditions for crops, thus improving productivity.
Any plant can grow in a greenhouse, from trees to shrubs to food crops. The bottom line is to ensure the environment is suitable for the specific plant. However, when you factor in the economic part, you would want a crop whose value exceeds the total cost of constructing and maintaining the greenhouse. Examples of crops with good returns, when grown in a greenhouse in Kenya, include:
- Tomato
Tomato is a popular choice for your greenhouse. The crop thrives in temperatures between 20-30°C which you can easily achieve in your greenhouse. It is a key ingredient in nearly all kitchens in Kenya. Tomato prices fluctuate depending on the amount of supply in the market. With greenhouse farming, you can have a consistent supply, whereby times of high prices can compensate for the losses incurred when tomatoes flood the market. Indeterminate varieties are an ideal choice for greenhouses since they continue flowering and producing fruits for a long time.
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper)
Hohos are a popular choice for greenhouse farming due to their high value in the fresh vegetable market. You may choose to grow the ordinary green peppers or the colored ones. While the green pepper costs Ksh 10 per fruit in retail markets, a yellow or red one may fetch up to Ksh 50 per fruit. Colored peppers are also in high demand in supermarkets and export markets and thus are a lucrative choice.
- Cucumber
Do you want to start greenhouse farming in Kenya? Consider growing cucumbers. This crop will give you the first harvest in less than two months. You don’t have to wait until the fruit is fully mature. Cucumbers may develop a bitter taste when harvested after they develop a yellow color. A greenhouse will help you maintain the temperature range of 20-25°C, which the crop needs to grow optimally. You can target both local and export markets with cucumbers for fresh consumption. You can also add value to the cucumbers and sell them as products such as pickles.
- Strawberry
Strawberry is a high-value crop that does extremely well in greenhouses. The crop thrives in a temperate climate, thus making a greenhouse environment an ideal growing environment. Strawberries are in high demand due to their flavor in producing jams, ice creams, and yogurt. Besides, some perfume companies use the strawberry flavor for their products. The Kenyan population is also increasingly embracing healthy and fresh fruit for consumption; thus, you won’t go wrong with strawberries.
- Basil
Basil farming is proving to be a lucrative venture in Kenya. The herb is in demand for its flavor and health benefits. Therefore, you will bank on diversified income streams from culinary to medicinal use. Basil is ready for harvesting within a month after planting. Besides, it gives you multiple monthly harvests for up to six months. Growing basil in a greenhouse ensures you get high-quality produce that meets market requirements.
Choosing a high-value crop is crucial if you want to succeed in your greenhouse farming business. An ideal crop for the venture has high demand both locally and internationally. Besides, you should consider whether using a greenhouse to grow the crop will significantly enhance the production.