Farmer switches to Pepino melons for increased profit

Zakayo Mogotio, 46, had to switch to Pepino melons and other crops after he incurred losses from tree tomatoes which were attacked by a disease and wiped out.

He is currently farming Pepino melons in Seguton, 19km from Molo town.

Mogotio told the Mt Kenya Star that he ventured into pepino melon farming in 2016 with a capital of Sh700.

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He raises seedlings of various trees and fruits like tree tomatoes, Pepino melons, and eucalyptus and sold them to other farmers.

“I get cuttings from the plants that I have already grown,” says the farmer.

Mogotio says he takes a month to prepare pepino melon seedlings for the market, which he sells at Sh100 each.

Farmers are starting to acquaint themselves with pepino melon farming because of the fruit's health benefits. However, birds are a major threat to the fruits.

“Transportation of the ready fruit to the market is the main challenge,” according to Mogotio.

Apart from pepino melon fruit and seedling farming, he carries out beekeeping and sells top bar hive at Sh4,500 each. 

Pepino melons health benefits

Pepino melons are in high demand for its health benefits, which include:

Reduced risk of stress.

Reduced risk of hypertension

Promotes good cardiovascular health

Helps prevent diabetes

Helps in weight loss due to the low amount of calories

Lowers cholesterol levels

It is essential in increasing stamina as the fruit has a high glucose content derived from carbohydrate digestion.

Some herbal products from china are made from raw pepino.

Vitamin C in pepino aids in preventing oral thrush and to maintain healthy gums.

The pepino fruit is sodium-free, thereby decreasing the daily intake of sodium linked to high blood pressure.