Uasin Gishu CeC in charge of Agriculture Samuel Yego addressing the press in Eldoret town on Monday, January 29, 2018. [Photo/Elvanis Ronoh]
Uasin Gishu CeC in charge of Agriculture Samuel Yego has urged farmers from the region to practice avocado farming.
He said avocado has a ready market not only in Kenya but other countries compared to maize and wheat.
“There is high demand for avocado produce in France and other European countries I, therefore, I urge farmers from the region to embrace avocado farming and the will not regret doing it since the market is so huge,” he said in Eldoret town, Monday.
“For your information, a fruit goes for sh.50-80/- per piece in Nairobi Market while in Europe where the Netherlands is the biggest consumer the fruit goes for sh.120-140/- per fruit,” he added.
He, however, revealed that the Horticultural Crops Development Authority (HCDA) has planted 6,700 avocado seedlings in the county each ward getting 6,700 seedlings.
"Let us use the Eldoret International airport to export this fruit," noted Yego.
He reiterated that the recent research on avocado trees has proved it's potential for higher yields in North Rift region especially in Uasin Gishu County.