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Kingsly Njoroge used to grow pyrethrum, a cash crop that had a ready market. But along the way things changed and the farmer from Ndefo Village in Njoro Sub County had to make abrupt change.
Njoroge, 58, dropped the venture eight years ago following frustration of delayed payments and lack of market. The high cost of production was also a headache.
“Things were so tough with pyrethrum; it was no longer rewarding as before. I was incurring so many losses, I had to let go,” says Njoroge.
The father of six, then uprooted the pyrethrum on his one-acre parcel of land to give way for avocado production.
It was an easy transition for him because during that time, the county government started a campaign to encourage farmers to take up avocado farming to enhance food security.
The county distributed 29,000 grafted hass seedlings to farmers in Gilgil, Njoro, Rongai, Bahati, Molo and Subukia with each farmer receiving 17 seedlings.
To perfect his art, he enrolled for various local trainings on avocado production. He also made an effort to visit already established avocado farmers.
“Prior to county launching my avocado project, I enrolled for several trainings and did my research on best varieties, production and marketing,” says the farmer.
So far, so good he says.
The crop he says, is not labour or time-consuming.
“Avocado growing is not labour-intensive like other crops. The only keen thing is to water it during flowering for quality yield,” says the farmer.
To increase his yields, he practises mulching, which helps to maintain soil moisture. In addition, he also applies manure during flowering. He also does weed control, diligently.
Correct spacing of the trees is encouraged at 18 feet square and 2 feet deep for proper root development and yield production.
The advantages
Though the State had promised to help them with a market, being an aggressive agriprenuer, he says he goes out of his way to secure markets.
“The county assured us that avocado has a demand locally and abroad, but as a farmer, you cannot just sit back and assume all your produce will find a ready market just because of the assurance. No. I always tell my fellow farmers that they must aggressively search for fresh markets and secure the old links. Competition is cut-throat out there,” he advises. To help with marketing and production issues, the local farmers have formed avocado production groups where they train each other on best farming practices. The farmers have also learnt about grafting of avocado to boost production.
“In a group, you prosper, this is why we have established a group, we visit different farmers, find out how they are doing and also invite experts to advise us. We also go for best prices,” he says.
Hass avocado variety is sold in the local market at between Sh10 and Sh15 depending on market demand. The variety has a capacity to produce between 50 and 100 fruits, during first harvest with production capacity increasing during second flowering stage with each tree having a capacity to produce at least 300 fruits with proper management practice.
“An avocado tree can produce an average of one ton of fruits yearly sold approximately at Sh40, 000 in local market,” he observes.
A tree of Hass avocado produces at least 300 fruits every season and bears fruits twice a year. Each tree, a farmer can earn at least Sh5,000 compared to his maize crop whose production depend on weather patterns.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization
with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations,
television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group
is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in
matters of national and international interest.
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