Get inspired from a successful Custard Apple (Matomoko) farmer in Muranga County

His custard apple trees flower in October, noting that during the period, they must be watered well to curb flower abortion that affects fruit formation.

“Flowering is preceded by shedding of leaves in September but once irrigated properly or they receive good rains, the onset of flowering and fruit formation starts,” he explains.

Shedding of leaves, according to Geoffrey Kavita, an agronomist from Amiran Kenya, is a common characteristic of fruit crops.

“It is a natural way to stimulate the emergence of buds,” he states.

There is a correlation between shooting of buds and flowers, Kavita explains, in case natural mechanisms fail, synthetic ways can be used, like using bio-stimulant products, sprayed to expedite the process.

Kinyanjui, 57, says apart from planting and watering, one should apply manure to replace lost nutrients, prune the crop and spray against diseases like powdery mildew and anthracnose.

For pests, the biggest enemy of the fruits are fruit flies and false codling moth (FCM), with the farmer using pheromone traps to curb them.

Peak harvesting comes between April and August. But according to Kinyanjui, he also reaps during off season in October.

A tree produces up to 700 kilos per year. Kinyanjui sells the fruits at between Sh50 and Sh80 to clients in Nairobi, one of them which is a supermarket.

Annual rainfall

Lack of reliable workers is one of his major challenge, noting that he relies on women to take care of the fruits as getting young men is a problem.

Custard apples thrive in regions that receive more than 700 millimetres of annual rainfall.

The altitude required depends on the variety of the fruit; cherimoya 1,400–2,200m above sea level, sweetsop also known as Annona squamosa 0–1,100 while soursop 1,400m. He farms annona and soursop varieties.

The fruit, according to Kavita, performs well when grown in soils which are slightly acidic and well-drained.

Kinyanjui grows Hass avocados on one-and-half acres, mangoes four and plantain bananas in between custard apple trees.

Custard apples are rich in antioxidants, boost immunity, promote good digestion and regulate blood pressure. They are consumed when ripe, where the sweet flesh is extracted. They can also be used to make juice and jam. A ripe custard apple is pale green.

credit; Oxfarm organic