Kelvin Wairimu
Just by virtue of its ready availability in most grocery stalls, it is assumed to be a high profit-making crop. But how profitable is sukumawiki (kales) farming in Kenya?
How much does it cost to grow sukuma wiki in Kenya on a single acre?
To understand true profitability, we focus on cases where farmers have their own land and where they may decide to lease. The farmers also have the option of raising their own seedlings or outsourcing.
With Own Land – Simple Case
The most common case is a farmer with their own land raising seedlings. This is a simple system for a normal farmer. This farmer needs at least 100-120g of collards/kales seeds for KSh 500.
These seeds are raised on beds for a period of 4 weeks and later transplanted when they have 5 leaves. The farmer uses this period to prepare the farm. This land preparation can cost KSh 4,000.
It is important to use manure for faster growth and water retention, which will cost about KSh 5,000. Labour for transplanting and management will cost about KSh 30,000.
Fertilizers and chemicals will cost the farmer KSh 10,000. If you add other costs of KSh 5,000, this makes the total cost of production KSh 54,500.
Under good management, an acre can yield 10,000 to 12,000 kgs. In most cases, the market price ranges from KSh 5-10 per kilo. This means the farmer earns KSh 50,000-100,000 from a single acre of sukumawiki farming.
Assuming the farmer sells at an average price of KSh 7 per kilo and harvests 9,000 kgs, the farmer will earn KSh 63,000. That’s a profit of KSh 8,500.
Farmer Leasing Land
For the case of a farmer without land who decides to lease at a cheaper cost of KSh 10,000 per acre, this adds cost to KSh 64,500 (KSh 54,500 + KSh 10,000).
This means if the farmer sells at KSh 7 per kilo with a similar yield of 9,000kgs, they will make a loss of KSh 1,500.
Outsourcing Seedlings
The above cases are for farmers who raised their own seedlings with a simple irrigation system.
However, if both decide to outsource seedlings, they will need 15,000 seedlings at KSh 1 each.
This pushes the cost to KSh 69,500. If the farmers harvest the same yield of 9,000kgs and sell at a similar price of KSh 7 per kilo, they will make a loss of KSh 6,500.
This cost rises even further if the farmer installs drip irrigation, which costs about KSh 150,000 per acre.
How Can You Make Profit in Sukumawiki Farming?
The main question is: how then can you make profit in sukumawiki farming?
Sukumawiki farming is profitable if you can manage to produce over 10,000kgs and sell at least above KSh 7 per kilo.
The main challenge with sukumawiki is the continued decline in consumer demand as their preference is shifting towards indigenous vegetables such as managu, terere, and kunde.
Actually, the main demand driver is institutions such as high schools.
Read Also: How to grow curly kales (sukuma matumbo)
Cost Summary
Farmer with Own Land (Raising Own Seedlings):
- Total Cost: KSh 54,500
- Revenue (9,000kg @ KSh 7/kg): KSh 63,000
- Profit: KSh 8,500
Farmer Leasing Land (Raising Own Seedlings):
- Total Cost: KSh 64,500
- Revenue (9,000kg @ KSh 7/kg): KSh 63,000
- Loss: KSh 1,500
Farmer with Own Land (Buying Seedlings):
- Total Cost: KSh 69,500
- Revenue (9,000kg @ KSh 7/kg): KSh 63,000
- Loss: KSh 6,500
Conclusion
Sukumawiki farming in Kenya is marginally profitable only under specific conditions: owning land, raising your own seedlings, achieving yields above 10,000kg per acre, and selling at prices above KSh 7 per kilo.
The declining consumer demand and shift towards indigenous vegetables make this a challenging venture for most farmers, particularly those who lease land or outsource seedlings.
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