Overview

Mango is a major cash crop in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas. However, farmer incomes can be constrained by poor orchard management, pests such as fruit flies, and losses during harvesting and handling.

FIPS supports farmers in improving mango production through better orchard management, pruning, soil fertility, and water management, as well as effective pest and disease control. VBAs also provide practical services, including pruning and spraying services, helping farmers improve tree health, fruit quality, and production. FIPS’ experience shows that improved management can help farmers double fruit production.

Support Farmers Receive From VBAs

Selecting suitable mango varieties based on local growing conditions and market demand, including improved and grafted varieties.
Accessing healthy, high-quality grafted seedlings from reliable suppliers.
Establishing orchards correctly through appropriate site selection, land preparation, spacing, planting, and early tree care.
Pruning and managing trees to improve tree health, flowering, and fruit production.
Improving soil fertility through the appropriate use of manure and fertiliser.
Managing water efficiently, conserving soil moisture, and using mulching where appropriate.
Identifying, preventing, and managing key pests and diseases, including fruit flies, mango seed weevils, thrips, anthracnose, and powdery mildew.
Accessing pruning, spraying, and other practical orchard-management services through VBAs where available.
Using crop-protection products safely and responsibly where necessary.
Harvesting mature fruit carefully to reduce sap burn, bruising, and other damage.
Sorting, grading, packaging, and handling fruit correctly to maintain quality and reduce post-harvest losses.
Accessing market information and building links with reliable buyers.

Pro-Tip

Mango fruit flies can destroy 30–80% of a crop in a single season if left unmanaged. FIPS VBA bait station services, installed starting before flowering, protect the entire harvest at a cost of just KES 200–400 per tree — delivering one of the highest return-on-investment available to mango farmers.

Farmer Voice

"Before FIPS VBAs started coming to our village, many of the mangoes I have harvested had fruit fly damage inside, forcing me to accept low market prices. Now, the VBA comes twice a season to hang bait stations and spray. Last season, I sold all my mangoes to a Nairobi exporter at double my usual price. The VBA service paid for itself many times over."

Francis Mutua

Mango farmer, Makueni County

Why FIPS exists

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