Juicy Passion fruit not affected by passion fruit woodiness. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard]
When farmers from Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties embraced passion farming, they had hope it would yield better results than maize farming.
Most of these farmers started passion farming in 2018, and those who were patient enough got to reap big from sales.
Unlike maize farming, which only brings income annually, passion fruit farmers sell their produce weekly or after a fortnight, earning good money at least twice a month.
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All was well for most of the farmers until recently when a mysterious viral disease set in. The Smart Harvest spoke to a number of farmers who shared their frustrations.
Simon Ngétich, a farmer who owns an acre of passion fruit plantation in Uasin Gishu County says prices of the fruits have dropped since the disease hit the fruits.
Small and deformed fruits
Ng’etich says most fruits crack and cannot be harvested, while others suffer stunted growth. Such fruits are rejected in the market by middlemen and other buyers.
“We used to sell the fruits at Sh80 or Sh100 per kilogramme, but now they have dropped to as low as Sh30. Sometimes, the fruits are even rejected because of their poor state. The low prices result in losses,” says Ng’etich.
The disease, passion fruit woodiness potyvirus (PWV) commonly known as ‘Kangumu’ has led farmers to incur heavy losses.
Infected passion trees have dark green patterns which develop with light yellow spots on the leaves. The leaves often become distorted, puckered and crinkled. The fruits also become smaller than normal, deformed with thick skins and small centres containing the pulp. The disease has also led to poor quality fruits and low production.
Ng’etich says from his one-acre farm, he would harvest about 200kg each week, but the production has since dropped to less than 100kg.
“Last week, I only managed to sell 60 kilos because the rest had been affected by ‘kangumu’ disease,” says Ngétich.
Amos Kipngétich, another farmer in Elgeyo Marakwet uprooted passion fruit trees on his half an acre farm after attack by ‘kangumu’ virus.
“I went to various stockists looking for a chemical that could help, but sadly there was none. I tried pruning and even spraying, but the disease persisted,” laments Kipngétich.
Kipngétich, who has been farming passion fruits for three years, says he is also considering acquiring high-quality and hybrid seedlings that are free from the disease.
“Passion farming is profitable. It has helped me educate my children comfortably. But now I have to weigh my options,” says Kipngétich.
Fred Kiptoo, who has grown passion fruits on six acres, says he would harvest about one tonne weekly, but now he harvests almost half. With low market prices and a disease that most farmers lack knowledge on how to address, Kiptoo says most farmers are now desperate.
“We do not understand what disease this is. We are urging the county government to intervene and help farmers by educating them on necessary precautions to take to avoid the spread,” says Kiptoo.
According to Robert Kirui, an agronomist, the viruses are spread by aphids (green flies). The aphids only need to feed for a short time on an infected leaf before they can spread the viruses to healthy plants.
Control method
Aphids are not often seen on passion fruit. They land to feed, and then move through the crop. He warns that despite pruning being seen as a solution, pruning tools can also spread the viruses. The expert says in cases of severe spread of the disease, farmers should clear the crops and start afresh using tolerant seedlings. He says crop rotation can also work best to avoid recurrent spread of the disease. To be on the safe side, Kirui advices farmers to get the right seedlings from certified nurseries.
“PWV is soil-borne, meaning the disease can be avoided if the best resistant seedlings are used. Sometimes, even the manure can carry the disease,” says Kirui. The severity depends on the variety and the types of viruses or strains. Purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) and the yellow variety (Passiflora edulis flavicarpa) are susceptible. Kirui says chemical controls are not appropriate.
“Although there are insecticides to kill aphids, they are not effective because they spread rapidly,” says Kirui.
He says there are chemicals which have proven to work overtime but are costly. A small sachet costs Sh800 and can only serve 10 plants.
