Tree Seedling Business

The demand from a certain group of Kenyans to plant trees either for beauty, environmental conservation, business, or for their fruits and nuts has a great impact on the growth of tree seedling business and several farmers are making a kill.

Avocado tree seedling 

What to consider when starting a tree seedling business.

1. Capital: for a business to start up it needs money, this will depend on the size of nursery and the type of trees you are investing into, the source of seeds can also bring a big deference on the amount of investment required.

The total cost to raise seedlings varies from 5 ksh to 50 ksh depending on the variety, the care and the time needed for the seedlings to mature.

You can sale your seedling from 20 ksh to 1500ksh depending on the variety. 

Your total expense cost might rise if you are in a county where you will be required to build a green house.

You must also consider other aspects like transportation and marketing.

2. Land: you will need land to grow the seedlings, you will need to use personal land, buy land or lease land.

3. Water: you must consider a closer source of water because tree seedling need constant watering.

You might also need a water storage tank, an electric water pump or desel/petrol water pump.

4. Seeds and seedling varieties: you can get seeds from several sources but i would recommend getting certified seeds from outlets like the Kenya Forest Research Institute(KEFRI) in kabete.

One should also categorise the type and understand the different types of trees and their use, you must also understand your customers demand, some might need fruit or nut trees,others might want to plant for timber while others only want to beautify their homes.

5. Manure: you will need to use fertilizers from agrochemicals though i prefer using top soil, sand and organic manures.

6. Road: make sure the site has good access to a road to give customers easier farm access.

7. Tools & Human resource: you will need the right tools for specific purposes with the right, experienced personnel who understands how to run and take care of a tree nursery.

8. Certification: running a retail or wholesale nursery has to get Certification from the relevant authorities like the the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), the Kenya Forest Service, the Local County Government Licence where the cost varies from county to county.

Most tree seedlings take three weeks to complete germination, you then transfer them, wait for two months then the seedlings get ready for sale.