Some of the products produced by Sasini. The Sh500m Kiambu factory is part of a diversification plan meant to cushion the firm from fluctuating coffee and tea earnings. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Agricultural firm Sasini has announced plans to grow macadamia and avocado for export in Kiambu County.Managing Director, Stephen Githiga, said the firm has set aside 200 acres of its land in Kiambu, Ruiru and Mweiga (Nyeri County) as it prepares to commission its Sh500 million factory in Kiambu Town for processing macadamia and avocado starting April this year."The demand for both crops is higher than supply at the moment," said Githiga on Tuesday.Githiga said the move is part of a diversification plan meant to cushion the firm from fluctuating coffee and tea earnings."Prices of commodities such as coffee and tea fluctuate significantly based on global demand. Diversification to the two crops will cushion our income," the MD noted.Sasini's venture in avocado and macadamia comes at a time when it has recorded sharp drop in its earnings.The listed company reported Sh339.4 million net profit for the year ended December 30, 2017.This is compared to Sh576.9 million the firm posted in a similar period in the previous year, representing a 70 percent drop.