MUHORONI, Kisumu July 5- The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), State Department of Agriculture in partnership with the County Government of Kisumu has ramped up efforts to enhance avocado production by distributing 10,000 Hass avocado seedlings to farmers across the county.
Kisumu County Crop Officer Justus Ochieng’ Odemba termed avocado farming as a lucrative venture that farmers can explore to reduce overreliance on sugarcane cultivation to boost their income.
Speaking when he presided over the distribution of 4,000 Hass avocado seedlings to Muhoroni Avocado Farmers’ Co-operative Society on at Osiepe Dairy in Muhoroni Sub-county, Odemba encouraged farmers to join cooperative societies to maximize the benefits of farming.
He emphasized that cooperatives provide structured support, ensuring farmers gain access to ready markets and value added services.
“I urge farmers to join cooperative societies because this is the only way,” stressed Odemba.
“In the cooperative society, we have assigned an Agricultural officer that is purely focusing on the avocado value chain to make sure that farmers produce quality fruits that meet the international standards.”
Odemba highlighted the County government’s commitment to promote avocado farming as a sustainable alternative to sugarcane, aiming to diversify agricultural income and enhance food security in the region.
Further, the official revealed that the government has already secured market opportunities for avocado farmers, eliminating the challenge of post-harvest losses.
“We have been promised by the government that there are ready markets available. We are only waiting for farmers to produce,” Odemba stated.
He assured farmers that once production commences, the county will link them directly with the local and international markets to boost their income.
A Hass avocado tree estimated to yield approximately Sh.9,000 worth of fruits annually and smallholder farmers with as few as 10 avocados trees are actively involved in the export trade.
According to James Oburu, Muhoroni Avocado Farmers’ Co-operative Society patron and a farmer, Hass avocado farming is lucrative and promises more returns compared to cane farming.
“A single Hass avocado tree has the potential of yielding Sh.6,000 annually. A farmer with only 10 trees can make Sh.60,000 annually. On the contrary, you will have to wait for up to 2 years to earn a similar amount from a one Ha of cane plantation,” Oburu explained.
The Cooperative Society which started in 2021 has more than 100 farmers who engage in avocado farming initiatives.
“We aim to recruit 300 members by the end of 2026, with each farmer planting at least 20 avocado trees. We also expect the first harvest to take place by next year,” Oburu stated.
The Cooperative’s vice chairperson, Noah Okoth Opuk, announced that the society will introduce intercropping of high-value crops such as African leafy vegetables and herbs.
“Apart from avocados, we are targeting additional nutritional crops that can provide members with alternative income streams while they wait for their avocado trees to mature,” Opuk said.
The cooperative has partnered with the Horticultural Crops Directorate and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to train farmers on quality standards for both local and export markets.
“Our focus is on producing crops that meet international market standards right from the start,” he concluded.
