Cost of Greenhouses in Kenya

In Kenya, where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, greenhouses are becoming popular due to their high potential of production and profitability. Cost of greenhouses in Kenya are between KES 100,000 to KES 550,000 for wooden types and KES 224,000 to KES 900,000 for metallic greenhouses.

Greenhouse farming is increasingly becoming popular, but it is important to understand the initial costs and profits of greenhouses before construction. Greenhouse in Kenya enhances production of high-quality vegetables, fruits, and flowers which attract high demand in both domestic and foreign markets.

Cost of Greenhouse in Kenya by Aqua Hub

Wooden Greenhouses Cost

• 8 by 15 m – KES 140,000 – KES 165,000
• 8 by 24 m – KES 180,000 – KES 200,000
• 8 by 30 m – KES 225,000 – KES 240,000
• 16 by 30 m – KES 390,000 – KES 430,000
• 24 by 30 m – KES 525,000 – KES 550,000

Cost of Metallic Greenhouses

• 8 by 15 m – KES 224,000 – KES 240,000
• 8 by 24 m – KES 270,000 – KES 284,000
• 8 by 30 m – KES 350,000 – KES 365,000
• 16 by 30 m – KES 660,000 – KES 700,000
• 24 by 30 m: KES 865,000 – KES 900,000

Profitability of Greenhouses in Kenya

Greenhouse farming offers many avenues for profitability in Kenya, but the Key profitable ventures are strawberry, tomato, and capsicum farming.

Strawberries grown in greenhouses produce healthy, juicy and big fruits. Strawberry greenhouse farming has higher profit margin which can be between KES 300,000 – KES 400,000 for 8 by 15 m hydroponic greenhouse.

Tomato greenhouse farming also has high potential, with the price per Kg ranging from KES 60 – KES 100. With this price range you can earn a profit of approximately KES 200,000 – KES 400,000 on harvest from 8 by 15m.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Greenhouses in Kenya

• How big the greenhouse is: large greenhouses are built using more materials than smaller ones, and thus prices are higher.
• Greenhouse Design: vented greenhouses cost slightly higher prices than tunnel type because of extra ventilation material needs.
• Extend Span: Extended greenhouses can as well be cheaper than separate ones.
• Construction Materials: greenhouse costs vary depending on the materials used. Wooden greenhouses are cheaper than those built with metallic or glass.
• Location of the site: the cost of carrying materials to site depends on site location. Far places will result in high cost of greenhouse installation.
• Greenhouse features: Drip kits, ventilation, water tanks and cooling systems may increase the cost of a greenhouse.
• Crop Requirements: Specialized greenhouses for propagation or tall crops might have additional costs.

What Materials are Essential for Constructing a Greenhouse?

Metallic Greenhouses in Kenya

• Galvanized steel Pipes
• Fabricated Arch Steel Pipes
• Greenhouse Polythene Sheet
• Insect net
• Shade Net
• Profiles and Wires
• Tapping Screws

Wooden Greenhouses in Kenya

• Wooden Poles
• Nails
• Polythene Sheet
• Tapping Screws
• Profiles and Wires

Other Requirements : inclusive of the Costs of  Greenhouses in Kenya

• Seedling trays – for seedling growers
• Coco peat – for propagating seedlings
• Gutters – collecting rainwater
• Misters or sprayers – temperature regulation in hot greenhouses
• Moisture sensors – for control of moisture levels in the soil.
• Drip irrigation kits – for effective irrigation
• Mulching paper – some crops such as strawberry need mulching paper to prevent weed growth and fruit rot
• Planting bags – for propagation in greenhouse built in areas with infected soil.
• Input / fertilizer – to add nutrients for faster production

Areas that Require Greenhouse farming

Greenhouse structures are vital to enhance attainment of growing conditions for growing of crops in various parts of Kenya. In both rainy and dry areas in Kenya, greenhouses promote all year production and quality crop yield. Farmers can consider low cost of greenhouses in Kenya to start growing all year without getting affected by dry conditions.

Arid and semi arid areas such as Baringo, Narok, Kajiado, Garissa, Lamu, Wajir, Machakos, Kitui and Makueni are the major parts where greenhouse farming is done.

However, other climatic regions are suitable for greenhouse farming. We have also built greenhouses in non-arid areas including Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyahururu, Eldoret, Siaya, Kisumu, Bondo, Kakamega, Nakuru, Bungoma and Kitale.

High Profit Crops to Grow in Greenhouses

There are many crops that can be grown in greenhouse environment. The key high value crops that will guarantee returns on the high cost of greenhouses in Kenya are;

• Tomato – require high control and protection from diseases. They thrive well in greenhouses, yield high quality and quantity of harvest for a long time.
• Capsicum – red, green, and yellow capsicum retail at high prices on peak seasons. Sold at KES 240 per Kg. Capsicum grows healthy and big when done in a greenhouse environment.
• Green Vegetables – includes kales, broccoli, and radishes
• Cow Peas – Yield is better when done in greenhouse conditions.
• Cucumbers – Cucumbers do well in hot greenhouse environment and are quite profitable.
• Strawberry – fetches high prices and have a higher demand in foreign markets.

Steps to Assess Cost and Buy Greenhouses in Kenya

1. Step 1: land preparation – first prepare the land by clearing bushes, removing stones and cultivating.
2. Step 2: Soil tests: find agronomy support to test the soil PH and soil borne infections.
3. Step 3: Research on Material Requirements and Supplier:  conduct online research on Google, social media and webinars to learn the requirements for building a greenhouse.
4. Step 4: Purchase the materials: once you know what is needed and the greenhouse size to build, buy materials. Aqua Hub offers perfect greenhouse prices.
5. Step 5: Installation of the Greenhouse: Installation is done after the greenhouse materials have been bought. We schedule for installation once you pay as per the quotation.

Additional Cost of Greenhouses in Kenya

Additional costs that are not inclusive in the cost of building greenhouses in Kenya are listed below.

1. Water Tanks – 10,000L plastic water tanks may cost between KES 20,000 – KES 35,000
2. Bed Preparation – KES 5,000 – KES 10,000 for small to medium greenhouses
3. Seedlings – Depends on the size of greenhouse for 8 by 25m it may cost around KES 2,000 – KES 3,000.
4. Water Pump – KES 10,000 – KES 45,000
5. Agronomy Support – Minimum of KES 8,000, but depends on engagement.

Greenhouse construction by Aqua Hub Kenya

Greenhouse installation is conducted by Aqua Hub LTD, a renown dealer in greenhouse and irrigation systems. Whether it is a simple wooden or complex metallic greenhouse, our technology will serve you right. Our technical team are professional; you will only need to provide casuals to help with manual jobs in the installation.

The installation should take a few days, often 3–5 days for small structures and 2 – 4 weeks for large greenhouse structures.

Enjoy Low Costs of Greenhouses in Kenya

Aqua Hub Kenya delivers top quality when it comes to greenhouse material supply and design of greenhouses. We retail greenhouse prices at affordable or lower cost prices in the Kenyan market.

Start your smart farming journey by purchasing greenhouses or consulting from Aqua Hub Kenya.

Call 0790719020