Avocado farmers in Nakuru have been urged to ensure they obtain seedlings from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and Animal and Health Agency (APHA) certified nurseries.
Nakuru County Agriculture CeC Dr Immaculate Maina says this is the only way to ensure avocado farmers get value for their money.
“We are calling on all avocado farmers in the county to ensure they get their seedlings from KEPHIS and APHA certified nurseries,” she said.
She was speaking on Friday at the Nakuru Agricultural training center during the Nakuru Farmers’ Day organised by Avocado Society of Kenya in partnership with the County Government of Nakuru and other stakeholders.
The CeC said Hass avocado farming if embraced by Kenyans can help boost the economy of Nakuru County as well as the nation.
According to Maina, already more than 100,000 avocado seedlings have been dispatched.
While reiterating the county’s commitment towards agriculture and empowerment of farmers, the CeC also called on farmers to ensure they join cooperative societies that will help address some of their challenges.
“As a county, we are committed towards the Big 4 agenda as well as the county agenda. We urge farmers to join cooperatives so that they can reap big,” said Maina.
The Avocado Society of Kenya assured farmers they will be working closely with them in realising their dreams in avocado farming.
The Chief Executive Officer Mr Muthomi Ernest in an interview admitted that there had been challenges of climate and fruit flies but they have been addressed.
Muthomi called on farmers to expand their avocado farming, adding that the impact will be positive in society. He also assured farmers that as a society they will continue to ensure avocado farmers are not exploited by brokers.
“The world demand for avocado is so huge and therefore we encourage our farmers to expand the farming. We also urge them to join the society to avert exploitation from brokers,” said Muthomi.
The sentiments were echoed by Nakuru County Assembly Majority Leader Moses Ndung’u Kamau who is also a farmer in Elementaita Ward.
The Elementaita Ward MCA assured farmers that as the county assembly they will continue to work closely with them through the county agriculture department to see to it that livelihoods are transformed.
“As Nakuru MCAs we shall support such initiatives that are meant to transform the lives of the people,” said Ndung’u.
The function was also attended by MCAs Jackson Githua (Mau Narok), Njuguna Mwaura (Elburgon), Anthony Rotich (Keringet) and Rose Chepkoech (Kiptagich).