Avocado Society of Kenya sensitize farmers in Meru during field day

The quality of Avocados from Meru County is set to improve after the Avocado Society of Kenya held a farmers’ field day to sensitise farmers on the best practices of production.

Speaking during the event held at Kaguru Agricultural Centre, that attracted more than 40 exhibitors from the agricultural sector, the society’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Earnest Muthomi, said the event was also meant to inform the farmers on the status of Avocado farming in the country so they can be informed on where they are and where they were and their future as avocado farmers.

“We want to thank the exhibitors as well as the County government of Meru for making this event a success. Governor Kiraitu Murungi is very passionate about avocado farming in the County and this will help improve the economic status of our people,” Muthomi said.

He said Meru County gets about Sh1billion from avocado farming and called on the residents to start investing in avocado farming to tap the good returns.

“There is a great demand for avocados from the entire world owing to their nutritious value. I have toured at least seven European countries which are the main consumers of avocados from the country and the demand is still high,” Muthomi said, adding that the countries have never had enough avocados from Kenya and all that they want is the good quality of the fruit.

He called on the farmers to ignore rumours that the avocados exported to the European Countries are used for other purposes apart from human consumption, which has as a result compromised the quality of the fruits.

“The farmers as a result end up harvesting immature avocadoes which end up destroying our markets abroad,” he said.

He called on farmers to be dealing with companies that are linked to the society since they were the ones with the correct information concerning the requirements of the available markets.

At the same time, the society in collaboration with the Soko Fresh company launched a Sh2.6 million solar-powered cold room that will help in the preservation of avocadoes before marketing.