French Beans Farming in Kenya 2023 | Veg Farms Kenya

 French Beans Farming in Kenya 2023

French beans farming in Kenya, often known as green beans farming or snap beans, are the immature green pods of the Phaseolus vulgaris plant.

In this article, we'll concentrate on how to launch a successful "French beans farming business" in Kenya.

Keep in touch and read this helpful article to learn how to boost your French beans production yield in Kenya

With a maturation period of up to 45 days and a ready local and international market, French beans cultivation is a practical option for vegetable growers.

French Beans Farming in Kenya

Hidden Cost of French Beans Farming In Kenya

Table of Contents

• Hidden Cost of French Beans Farming In Kenya
• The Cost of French Beans Farming In Kenya
• Ecological Requirements for French Beans farming in Kenya?
• How to Start French Beans Production in Kenya?
• What are the Pests That Affects French Beans Farming in Kenya
• What are the Major Diseases that affect French Beans?
• Step 9; Harvesting; How Long Does French Beans Take To Mature?
• A List of the Best French Beans Exporters in Kenya.

Phaseolus vulgaris L., a common legume vegetable, is farmed for its soft, green pods, which can be consumed raw or prepared. Depending on the cultivar, the pods might be green, yellow, red, or purple. It is consumed as a vegetable as well as dry beans or fresh green beans.

With a low local consumption rate, French beans vegetable (mishiris) are one of the main crops in Kenya that dominate the export market. The majority of Kenya's French bean (mishiris) production takes place in warm regions like Machakos, Thika, Murang'a, Kirinyaga, Naivasha, Nyeri, and Embu. Amy, Teresa, Samantha, Serengeti Julia, and Paulista are the most popular kinds sold in Kenya.

How to Starting French Farming in Kenya - What Is The Best Way To Grow French Beans?

The Cost of French Beans Farming In Kenya

Cost Of Production For French Beans Farming In Kenya
Stage	Activity	Description	Total Cost
Planting	Land lease	Land with water supply	8,000 per annum
	Irrigation	Adequate supply of water	8000
	Ploughing	Making the land user friendly	3000
	Furrow making	Making ridges	3200
	Seeds	25kg – 100000 seeds	22,000
	Planting Labor	4 man-days @400 each	1600
Germination	DAP application	Nutrients 1 bag	6000
	Pesticides	Confidor- bean fly	1000
Crop development and flowering	CAN – top dressing	Strong vigor – 1bag	6000
	Foliar feeds + insecticides	Thrips attack – 2 sprays	1200
Fruiting	N.P.K	Stimulate more flowers and fruits formation	5700
	Foliage Feeding + insecticides	Thrips attack – 2 sprays	2000
Harvesting	Labor	20 per kg harvested for 6,000 kgs	120,000
	Miscellaneous		20,000
	Total cost		207, 000

What Is the Cost of Farming French Beans Farming In Kenya?

Ksh 120. 000, "French bean cultivation in Kenya" can be done at a low cost, especially if you have your own property and rely only on rain-fed agriculture. Additionally, some fertilizers and pesticides won't be required if the land is new (and hasn't been heavily exploited).

You should be able to grow 6 tons of French beans on an acre of land in about 2 1/2 months. Gross margins for the two seasons will be as follows:

	Average price per kilo	Total revenue	Gross margin (total revenue – total cost)
High season	250	1, 500, 000	1, 293, 000
Low season	50-80	390, 000	183, 000

Hidden Cost on French Farming in Kenya

Ecological Requirements for French Beans farming in Kenya?

What is the best soil for French beans farming in Kenya?

Soil- The crop flourishes in soils with good drainage, a high organic matter content, and a PH range of 6.5–7.5 that is slightly acidic to alkaline.

What is the best Temperature for French beans farming in Kenya?

Temperature- The crop grows best in temperatures between 20 and 25 °C, but depending on the type, it may tolerate temperatures as low as 14 °C and as high as 32 °C. Extreme heat has a negative impact on flower growth and pod emergence.

What is the best altitude for French beans farming in Kenya?

Altitude- The crop does well in an altitude range between 1000 and 2100M asl. French beans, however, mature more quickly in warmer climates.

Does French beans farming need a lot of water?

Rainfall- A well-distributed yearly rainfall of between 900 and 1200 mm is ideal for rain-fed agriculture. If there is not enough rainfall, irrigation should be done. Long dry stretches or excessive rain are unfavorable and reduce yields. During French beans flowering, excessive rainfall results in floral abortion and a rise in disease incidence.

How to Start French Beans Production in Kenya?

Step 1; Seed Selection – What are common French bean varieties?

Serengeti French beans, Amy French beans, French beans come in a number of cultivars with a variety of colors, including green, yellow, and purple. Here are list of commonly planted French bean in kenya. 

Common French Beans varieties for Export Market

Type	Plant Size	Maturity Period	Pod length	Tolerant
Serengeti	Medium erect bush	55 days	14-16 cm	rust, bean common mosaic virus & anthracnose
“Amy”:	Grown for fresh export	58 – 60 days	10 – 12 cm long	anthracnose
“Paulista”	Grown for Bobby grade	58 – 60 days
“Samantha”	Grown for extra fine & fine grades	58 – 60 days

Seed Rate – What Is the Seed Requirement for French Beans Farming In Kenya

25- 30kgs of French beans, Depending on the variety, 25–30 kg of certified seeds are needed for an acre of land.

Spacing - How Much Space Do French Beans Need?

50 cm apart, This relies on a number of variables, including variety, water accessibility, and soil fertility. However, it is advised to use double rows of 60x30cm or single rows with a spacing of 30x15cm (one seed per hole). It is best to plant in blocks of four single rows, spaced 50 cm apart, to make crop management simple.

What Is the Plant Population of French Beans in an Acre?

French beans Plant population; 88,888 per acre

Step 2; How to plant French beans in Kenya

• French bean plants are grown from seeds that are put straight into the ground.

• It is important to prepare the land early enough so that it has time to dry and degrade before planting.

• Planting. Use French beans seeds that have been certified by reliable seed companies. Before laying the seeds, 80 kg/acre of DAP is applied in the furrow and well mixed with the soils before planting.

• If production is rain-fed, planting ought to be done as soon as the rains begin.

• In 7 to 14 days, French beans germination takes place.

Step 3; Irrigation - Do French beans need a lot of water?

Yes, since the availability of moisture impacts the uniformity, yield, and quality of the French beans crop, watering is crucial when the rainfall is insufficient. French beans are quite sensitive to water logging, thus it's best to plant the crop on ridges and employ furrow irrigation in thick clay soils.

Reduced yields are the result of French beans flower abortion and bent pods, which are brought on by a lack of water during flowering and pod formation.

Step 4; Weeding - French beans farming in Kenya

A timely and thorough weeding is absolutely necessary. The first weeding should be done two to three weeks after emergence, followed by a second weeding two to three weeks later. 

Care should be taken to avoid damaging the French beans shallow roots, particularly during the first weeding. Never weed the crop when it is in bloom or when the field is wet to prevent disease transmission, flower shedding, and soil compaction.

What is the Best Herbicides For French Bean Growing?

Commercial French bean growers may find it economically feasible to employ herbicides. The following pre-emergence herbicides can be used:

Stomp 455CS® (Pendimethalin): 2.5 Litres in 400 Litres of water per hectare; Basagran®, BEANSCLEAN 480 SL® (Bentazon): Can be administered post-emergence at 2.5 - 3 Litres in 160 Litres of water per acre for control of wide leaved

Step 5; Supporting French beans in Kenya

French bean varieties that climb should be supported because they can reach heights of up to 6 feet; this can be done with the help of trellises or poles.

Step 6; Crop Rotation in French Beans Cultivation in Kenya

With French beans crops that don't come from the Fabaceae family, this should be done. It aids in weed management, the control of pests and diseases, the prevention of soil erosion, and the renewal of soil organic matter.

Step 7; Fertilizer Application - Which Fertilizer Is Best For French Beans?

Foliar fertilizers with N.P.K, to achieve optimum French beans yields, timely application of basal and foliar fertilizers is essential. Manure should be added especially to soils with little or no organic matter.

At planting – Best fertilizer for planting French beans in kenya

Before planting French beans, apply 100Kg of DAP per acre and thoroughly combine it with the soil. DAP is favored because it has significantly higher phosphorus concentrations, which aid in the development of the crop's roots. TSP and other phosphatic fertilizers can be applied.

The French beans seedlings should be sprayed with LAVENDER SUPER STARTER® 20ml/20L or GOLDCHANCE SUPER START® 50g/20L a week after germination since these products, among other things, encourage early French beans crop establishment.

Topdressing - Best Fertilizer for Topdressing French Beans in Kenya

French beans are top dressed with CAN at a rate of 40 kg per acre at the first trifoliate leaf stage and again at the start of blooming. Higher yields are also encouraged by applying foliar feeds like Bayfolan or Rapid-grow every two weeks from the second week after French beans planting until midway through the pod-forming stage. However, excessive nitrogen application encourages vegetative growth at the expense of pod formation.

Thing to Look Into Fertilizer Application.

Using too much nitrogen might encourage rapid vegetative growth at the expense of pod production, thus avoid doing so. In order to increase crop development and productivity, foliar feeds are advised.

The type of fertilizer to use is determined by the soil's fertility, the suggestions from a soil test, and the needs of the particular variety. Farmyard manure is also advised, particularly in areas with limited soil organic matter. 

Ten tonnes per hectare should be applied in the planting furrow and worked into the soil. Depending on the type and the state of the soil, a kilogram of seeds calls for 4 to 8 kg of fertilizer.

Step 8; Pests & Diseases- What Are the Common Pest and Diseases In French Beans Farming In Kenya

What are the Pests That Affects French Beans Farming in Kenya

Bean fly; In older French beans crops, the larva's tunneling damage to the vascular tissue reduces plant vigor and causes petiole drooping. Severe infestations may cause seedling death. French beans crops are more vulnerable for 3–4 weeks following emergence. Plants that are affected have yellow stems that are fractured at the soil line and are stunted.

Red spider mites; On the undersides of the French beans leaves, you can find these minuscule, reddish-yellow pests. When there is a strong infestation, their feeding results in the development of webs on the undersides of the leaves and yellow stipples on the leaf surfaces.

Thrips; The nymphs and adults feed on and pierce the structures of French beans leaves and flowers, causing damage. Heavy infestations cause the abortion of flowers and flower buds, while leaves drop off.

Aphids; These soft-bodied insects have a green, black, or brown color and cluster on French beans stems, leaves, and pods. They feed on plant sap, which stunts the growth and causes malformation of the infested parts. As they consume food, they emit honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold and decreases the photosynthetic area.

Whiteflies; These white insects feed on French beans plant sap, which causes the infected leaves to curl, deform, and eventually fall off. As they feed, they release honeydew, which promotes the growth of sooty mold on the leaves and interferes with photosynthesis.

African bollworm; It reduces the quality of French beans pods by drilling holes in them and feeding with its head inside and the rest of its body outside. It also consumes French beans flowers and leaves.

Cutworms; Typically found in the soil, these brown to black caterpillars sever the stem of young plants below or above the soil line. During the day, they conceal and are active at night.

What Are The Diseases That Affect French Beans?

Rust; On French beans leaves, pods, and stems, infection causes the development of slightly elevated reddish brown pustules, and severe infections may result in the crop's death.

What are the Major Diseases that affect French Beans?

Downy mildew; While the upper side of the French beans leaf turns yellow and the pods develop whitish spots, the disease first manifests itself on the underside of the leaf, where it causes the production of a whitish or grey mass of fungal growth.

Angular Leaf spots; Diseased French beans plants produce angular brownish patches with purple edges and grey to brown centers on their leaves, stalks, and pods. These areas are initially saturated with water. Premature leaf fall is caused by severe infection.

Powderly mildew; White powdery growth of the pathogen, which later turn black as infection advances, form on the French beans stems, leaves, flowers, and pods. In severe cases leaves become chlorotic and drop off.

Anthracnose; On French beans stems and pods, disease development causes brown to black deep lesions to appear, and the leaves get black spots that slow down photosynthesis.

Bacterial blight; Small brown blotches on the leaves are the first disease symptoms; as the infection spreads, they grow larger until they eventually cause leaf fall and plant death.

Fusarium wilt; French beans crops affected by this disease exhibit abrupt leaf yellowing that eventually falls off and discolored vascular tissues that eventually result in plant death.

Damping off; The disease, which is soil-borne, prevents the germination of infected French beans seeds while causing seedlings to rot and eventually perish. The roots of the young plants that are affected have white cottony growth.

Bean Common Mosaic (BCM); This is a viral illness that is primarily spread by aphids. Mosaic development, leaf curving and rolling, and generally decreased French beans crop growth are all brought on by infection.

Step 9; Harvesting; How Long Does French Beans Take To Mature?

6 to 8 weeks, Depending on the cultivar and ecological conditions, it starts 6 to 8 weeks, or 45 to 60 days after planting.

French bean farming in Kenya can swiftly generate income, but only if you play your cards well.

Losses are quite likely to occur. Export businesses are entering into contract farming agreements with farmers as they recognize a persistent need for the beans. This entails establishing constant pricing that apply year-round, regardless of how high or how low the season is. These businesses offer agronomist services and seeds on credit to guarantee high-quality produce with a low chance of rejection.

Young French beans are easier to harvest and produce more, plus they taste good.

Step 10; Yield - What is the yield of French beans per acre?

4 to 6 tonnes of French beans. For pole kinds, the yield ranges from 5 to 6 tonnes per acre. When opposed to pole varieties, bush forms produce less yield. Tender bean harvesting begins 45 to 70 days after sowing. French Beans Agriculture

Handling French Beans

The quality of the produce should be preserved with care. For instance, the harvest boxes shouldn't be overfilled and the beans shouldn't be left in the sun.

How to do Sorting and Grading French Beans

Grading should be done according to the size of the produce while sorting is done to get rid of broken, twisted, and perforated pods as well as plant debris.

Sorting: French Beans

• Beans must be intact, sound, of fresh appearance, clean and free from excess external moisture

• Beans must be of specified size to meet market requirements

Grading: French Beans

• Three (3) grades are prominent:

- Extra Fine - French beans pods should have a minimum length of 10 cm, be straight, tender, and seedless, and have a diameter of less than 6 mm.

- Fine - French beans pods are small, feature a silky thread, and could contain tiny seeds. Pods should have a diameter of 6 to 9 mm and a length of 12 to 14 cm.

- Bobby - The diameter should be greater than 9 mm, and the French beans pods should be larger than fine grade and reasonably tender with small seeds.

Packing of French Beans in Kenya

Each box packed for the export market must display the product characteristics, such as the name of the producer/exporter, size, category, origin, etc., in accordance with the European Union quality standard for French beans (standard EC 912/2001). Packing operations produce boxes of produce that must be in compliance with this standard.

Storage of French Beans

The French beans produce should be kept in a cold room as soon as it is packed. French beans can be kept for a week at 4 oC and 80% relative humidity.

Where Is the Market for French Beans?

The European Union market is the primary market for French beans, and the Kenyan export market is divided into two major seasons: high demand season (September to March), when irrigation is the primary source of supply, and low demand season (June to September), when supply is overabundant and prices are lower.

Where can I sell French beans in Kenya?

Horticultural exporting companies, French beans and other horticultural products are exported from Kenya by a large number of horticultural businesses. We'll be highlighting some of Kenya's top exporters of horticulture and French beans in this article.

A List of the Best French Beans Exporters in Kenya.

	Contact Person	Email
InterVeg Exports Limited	+254 20 244 57 56
Homefresh Horticulture Export Limited	+254 22 821074.
Kenya Fresh Produce Exporters	+254 722 49683 or  +254 716 381413.	info@kenyafresh.co. ke
VegPro	020 822 831 or 020 822 753
Woni Exporters	+254 020 714 5205	info@woni.co.ke
Keitt Exporters Limited	+254 20 233 8176.

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Frequently Asked Question

How profitable is French beans farming in Kenya?

A The high season, which lasts from mid-March to mid-April, sees French bean prices range from Ksh 70 to Ksh 250 per kilo. A farmer can make between Ksh 420,000 and Ksh 1,600,000 per acre with an average yield of 6 tonnes.

How much is 1kg of French beans in Kenya?

70-250 per kg French beans range in price from 50 to 80 Ksh in the low season to 250 Ksh in the high season, depending on the season.

Does French beans need a lot of water?

Yes, Because they are thirsty plants, beans benefit from regular irrigation, especially as they begin to blossom and produce pods. Plants grown in pots need frequent and extensive watering because they dry up rapidly..

How many times are French beans harvested?

3 times a week, For the fine beans and the extremely fine beans, harvesting may be done twice weekly and three times weekly, respectively. It goes on like this for about three weeks. In 21/2 months, one receives yields of nine to fifteen tonnes per hectare and six tonnes per acre.

Is French bean farming profitable?

Yes, When good management procedures are used, French beans are quite productive. How many seeds are planted per acre? Beans can be sown either in the field or on carefully prepared seedbeds. Depending on the spacing and seed size, the amount of seeds planted per acre varies.

What is the best soil for French beans?

Loam soils, The climbing varieties, which yield a greater crop, take longer to mature than the bush varieties. French beans need a west and warm soil because they are a tropical plant. A good loam is perfect because it is halfway between these two extremes: sandy soils warm up most rapidly, while clay soils hold on to water best.