The Mountain Journal
A section of avocado producers in Kigumo
County, Murang’a are seeking registration of a company targeting the
lucrative export market to avoid exploitation by processors.
Aberdare Avocado Farmers Group in Kinyona ward
are seeking for the export market, after years of exploitation by middlemen
through dubious channels.
The group is among hundreds in tea
growing areas working towards diversification appealed to President William
Ruto to explore for more international markets to enable the farmers to get
more returns.
Murang’a farmers annually get Sh9
billion from the sale of the produce through the processors following efforts
made by Murang’a County Government in distributing seedlings to the growers
between 2015 and 2020.
In their meeting in Kagundu area, Kinyona ward
the members also the small scale tea growers recounted the tribulations they
have gone through the middlemen engaged by the processors.
The group chairman Mr Onesmus Kibuna
said they have lost millions of shillings through falsified records by the
avocado middlemen who have also facilitated harvesting of immature avocado, a
threat to the market.
Kibuna, also the chairman of Ikumbi tea
factory, said they have engaged the services of an agronomist for the purpose
of producing the best for the market.
Agenda
of the group constitute the members deal with mature produce destined to one
buyer.
“Majority of the tea farmers have endorsed
planting avocado trees for more returns. They want to be in charge of the trade
to end the era of exploitation by agents who buy the produce cheaply,”
said Kibuna.
Annie Nduta, a farmer, recounted how the
middlemen have been working with the youth who are stealing the produce in the
farms.
“Although theft of the produce is not much in
the region , the concern is poor payment despite the best rates offered
in the international market,” said Ms Nduta.
Francis Kibe, an avocado nursery
operator, said there was a need for the government agencies to come up with a
strategy to deal with the rogues who have positioned themselves in the value
chain.
Mr Kibe said in Mweiga, Nyeri County
there is a farmer earning Sh12 million annually from the sale of the avocado as
he has secured a reliable export market.
He said the farmer is among the largest small
scale holders who have been contracted by the international market.
“ Those who sell mature avocados do not regret
as they produce specific buyers in Europe,” said Kibe.
Naomi Njeri Waihenya said women should
take advantage and plant many trees to benefit from the expanding market.
“ The challenge being experienced is that
there is increased alcoholism in the rural set up. We plead with the
administrators to deal with the cheap liquor which is a threat,” said Mrs
Waihenya.
John Githiga said it was painful that
Murang’a farmers are paid poorly while their counterparts in Nyeri get Sh22 per
fruit.
“A kilogramme of avocado trade at Sh95 in
Nyeri while in Murang’a the middlemen prefer buying a fruit at between Sh 9 and
Sh13 depending on the size.
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