Wambugu Apple Farming Kenya – Step-by-Step Guide
- BeyondForest
- Sep 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 6
Image of Cate Wambugu in overalls smiles, holding a red wambugu apple fruit
1.)About Wambugu Apple
3.)Step-by-Step Guide to Wambugu Apple Farming
4.)Cost of Wambugu Apple Farming per Acre
Their ability to produce several flushes of flowers per year leads to multiple harvests, which means more consistent cash flow for farmers.
Best spacing is 1m by 3m- Cate Wambugu
Wambugu apples are a unique variety of apple developed specifically for tropical and subtropical regions. Unlike the common temperate apples that require long cold seasons to break dormancy, Wambugu apples are low-chill, meaning they can flower and fruit in warm climates.
📞 Ready to Start Your Wambugu Apple Orchard?
🌱 Order Certified Wambugu Apple Seedlings Today!
Ensure a successful harvest by buying directly from Wambugu Apple Farm Nursery, Nyeri.
✅ Healthy, certified seedlings
✅ Expert guidance on planting & care
✅ Farm visits and training available
🚜 Start your journey to profitable apple farming today!
Image of Cate Wambugu and Wambugu on theri Apple Farm In Nyeri
The name “Wambugu” is believed to have come from a Kenyan farmer and agricultural innovator, Mr. Wambugu, who popularized the cultivation of this apple variety in Nyeri County. His work inspired local farmers to grow apples successfully despite Kenya’s warm climate, which was previously considered unsuitable for apple production.
According to Cate wambugu 1 acre can accomodate 1200 Wambugu apple Trees
This apple variety has been in Kenya for more than two decades and is now widely known for its ability to produce multiple harvests a year when properly managed. Farmers who initially adopted Wambugu apple farming were quick to share their success stories, leading to an increase in adoption across counties such as Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Meru, Murang’a, and even semi-arid areas like Makueni.
Let’s calculate it carefully and step-by-step:
📏 Spacing: 1m × 3m
Area required per tree = 1m × 3m = 3 square meters
🌍 Size of 1 Acre in m²:
1 acre = 4,046.8564224 m²
✅ Trees per Acre Calculation (Digit by Digit)
4,046.8564 ÷ 3 =1,348.95 trees.
Image of Christiana Manchester Jamaica. Wambugu Apple ready to harvest. First fruits.
Kenya’s climate is highly favorable for Wambugu apples because they do not require extreme cold conditions to flower. They grow well in areas with moderate rainfall (800–1,200 mm annually) and at altitudes between 1,200–2,100 meters above sea level. The warm tropical climate allows for almost year-round production, giving farmers a competitive edge in supplying fresh apples to local markets when imported varieties are scarce.
Wambugu Apple is patented, and recognized by KALRO. It has been sold within and without, Kenya as far as Israel, and Nigeria.
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Wambugu Apples fruit 3 times in a year -Cate Wambugu
Additionally, Wambugu apples are hardy and resistant to many of the diseases that affect traditional apple varieties.
Benefits of Wambugu Apple Farming
Wambugu apple farming offers multiple benefits, making it one of the most lucrative agribusiness ventures in Kenya today. One of the biggest advantages is profitability — a single acre can host 450–500 trees, each producing 200–300 fruits per harvest. With proper care, farmers can harvest up to 60,000 apples annually, translating to potential earnings of over KSh 1,000,000 per acre.
1 wambugu seedling cost 1000Ksh and takes 9 months to start bearing fruits -Cate Wambugu
Another benefit is year-round production. Unlike temperate apples that produce a single harvest per year, Wambugu apples can flower multiple times, allowing farmers to enjoy 2–3 harvests annually. This steady income flow helps farmers meet financial obligations consistently.
Wambugu apples are also climate-resilient. They thrive in diverse conditions, from highland areas like Nyeri to semi-arid regions like Makueni, making them suitable for most parts of Kenya. Their adaptability reduces the risk of total crop failure, even in challenging weather conditions.
Additionally, they require relatively low maintenance compared to other fruits. With proper pruning, mulching, and pest management, they remain productive for years. Farmers can also add value by processing apples into juice, jam, and dried snacks, creating extra income streams
Step-by-Step Guide to Wambugu Apple Farming
The Blue Insect trap captures thrips while the Yellow Insect Trap captures Fruit Flies one of the Organic ways Wambugu farm help control and Mitigate pests
Start by selecting a suitable site with well-drained loamy soil and good sunlight exposure. Prepare the land by ploughing and digging holes spaced 3m x 3m. Mix topsoil with manure before planting certified Wambugu apple seedlings. Water immediately after planting and set up drip irrigation for consistent moisture.
Dense green Wambugu apple plants grow under a blue net
Thrips are tiny, slender insects (usually 1–2 mm long) that feed by puncturing plant tissue and sucking out the contents.
Regularly prune branches to shape the tree and encourage fruiting. Apply organic manure or NPK fertilizer as needed. Monitor for pests like aphids and control them early. Within 9–12 months, the trees begin flowering, and farmers can expect the first significant harvests in the second year with proper management.
Cost of Wambugu Apple Farming per Acre
Life span is over 30yrs producing your fruits
According to insights shared by the Wambugu Apple Farm manager, one acre can accommodate up to 1,200 trees when planted at closer spacing, and each seedling costs around 1,000Ksh. This means seedling costs alone amount to 1.2 million Ksh per acre.
Additional expenses include land preparation, manure or compost, irrigation setup, staking, pest control, and labor, which can add KSh 200,000–300,000. Overall, establishing one acre of Wambugu apples can cost between 1.4 million Ksh and 1.5 million Ksh Though this is a significant investment, the potential returns from multiple yearly harvests make it a profitable long-term agribusiness venture.
Profitability of Wambugu Apple Farming
Profitability of Wambugu Apple Per Year Per Tree
1st year | 40-50 fruits |
2nd year | 500+ fruits |
3rd year | 700+ fruits |
5 years | 2000+ fruits |
A kilo holds 9-10 fruits 1 kg could be sold at sh 300- sh 400 You can intercrop Wambugu with Beans or other crops for mulching or soil nutrition improvement.
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Wambugu apple farming is considered one of the most profitable agribusinesses in Kenya. According to the Wambugu Apple Farm manager, a well-maintained acre can yield three harvests annually. With 1,200 trees per acre, each producing an average of 200 apples per harvest, farmers can harvest over 720,000 apples per year. At an average market price of 20Ksh–30Ksh per apple, annual revenue can exceed 14–21 million Ksh per acre. After deducting operational costs, farmers still enjoy high profit margins.
📞 Ready to Start Your Wambugu Apple Orchard?
🌱 Order Certified Wambugu Apple Seedlings Today!
Ensure a successful harvest by buying directly from Wambugu Apple Farm Nursery, Nyeri.
Where to Buy Genuine Wambugu Apple Seedlings
Genuine Wambugu apple seedlings can be bought directly from Wambugu Apple Farm Nursery in Nyeri. For orders or farm visits, contact Cate Wambugu at 0722 284176 or +254 727 994 444. Buying from certified sources ensures healthy seedlings and maximum orchard productivity.
Is Wambugu apple farming profitable in Kenya?
Yes. Wambugu apple farming is highly profitable in Kenya when well-managed. With about 1,200–1,300 trees per acre, farmers can harvest an estimated 40,000–65,000 apples per year once the orchard is fully established. Selling at an average price of 20Ksh–30Ksh per apple, this can generate over 1,000,000Ksh annually from the 2nd or 3rd year.
How many Wambugu apple trees can be planted per acre?
With the recommended spacing of 1m x 3m, you can plant 1200 to 1300 trees per acre. This spacing allows the trees enough room to grow well, get adequate sunlight, and makes management tasks like weeding and pruning easier.
Where can I buy genuine Wambugu apple seedlings?
You can buy certified Wambugu apple seedlings from reputable sources like Wambugu Apple Farm in Nyeri, government-certified nurseries, or trusted agri-input suppliers.
The initial cost per acre typically ranges between 250,000Ksh and 350,000Ksh . This includes land preparation, seedlings (usually 1000Ksh per seedling), manure or compost, irrigation setup, and labor costs.
When do Wambugu apples start bearing fruit?
Wambugu apples usually start flowering within 9–12 months after planting. Farmers can expect marketable harvests starting from the second year, with peak production from the third year onwards.
What are the common challenges in Wambugu apple farming?
Some common challenges include ,Pests such as aphids and fruit flies, diseases like powdery mildew, Water stress during dry seasons and Market access for large-scale production
Can they grow in cold areas where tea is grown like upper sides of Gatanga constituency.
Yes they can do well there but you need manure and water.
