By John Matava

Vanilla is one of the orphaned crops by Kenyan farmers, according to the few farmers cultivating the crop, who are earning over Sh48,000 per tree. Vanilla is used for flavouring food, drinks, soaps, ointments, perfumes and incense and a mature tree bears up to 80 green pod beans in three years, equivalent to 8kgs.

However, failed crops have caused the prices of vanilla beans to soar to nearly Sh6,000 per kilogram, which is 10 times more than a few years ago. An acre can accommodate over 200 trees, meaning a farmer can be making Sh9.6m within three years of planting.

For vanilla seedlings, reach Lavington herbs  on +254(0)714 080 532.

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