Kisii Governor James Ongwae has encouraged local farmers in Nyamira and Kisii counties to embrace avocado farming.
Speaking on Thursday during a farmers' exhibition and the launch of an avocado planting exercise at Nyamaiya in Nyamira County, Ongwae said local farmers should take avocado farming seriously.
"I want to encourage our farmers to grow the right varieties of the avocado fruits which will promote value addition. Avocados have a good market and farmers can easily earn a living," he stated.
The governor noted that his administration is keen on enhancing the avocado value chain in the county.
According to Ongwae, the county government of Kisii has already supplied over 65,000 seedlings to farmers in the county, besides helping them form a cooperative society for the purpose of marketing.
"Construction of the avocado processing factory in Kisii town has been concluded and ready for investors to install the machinery. I, therefore, urge residents of Kisii and Nyamira counties to replace the eucalyptus trees with avocados," added Ongwae.
He argued that the people of Nyamira will also benefit from the avocado processing factory, terming the two counties as one.
The event was also attended by Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama and his Uasin Gishu counterpart Jackson Mandago.