FARMKENYA INITIATIVE
New gold rush for avocados as farmers mint billions
Avocado farmers delivering their harvest at Mulot, Narok West. [Robert Kiplagat, Standard]
Few things have been as exciting in agricultural circles as the scramble for growth of Hass avocado in Kenya.
Preferred in Europe where Kenya exports it, Hass avocado might as well be the new gold.
So much so that even the Kenya Prisons started an ambitious agricultural plan to boost the production of avocado with an eye on the export market by multiplying and distributing seedlings to agricultural communities.
On target is the Hass variety which is exclusively for export market and whose prices in the international market are higher compared to most fruits.
FARMKENYA INITIATIVE
Director of Prisons farms Patrick Kariri (third left) hands avocado seedlings to Joyce Kemunto, farmer at Nyamusi GK prisons. [Stanley Ongwae, Standard]
The Kenya Prisons has embarked on an ambitious agricultural plan to boost the production of avocado with an eye for the export market by multiplying and distributing seedlings to agricultural communities.
On target is the Hass variety which is exclusively for export market and whose prices in the international market are higher compared to most fruits.
The Director of Prison Farms Patrick Kariri on Friday said the Institution had earmarked 18 flagship rehabilitation centres across the country that will be involved in spearheading the campaign as well as production of agricultural products.