Murang’a is the leading producer of Avocado, but facing threats from Uasin Gichu County
The Mountain Journal
Days before harvesting of avocado is allowed suppliers are faced with uncertainty over the regulations imposed by the regulator in readiness to comply with the set international standard.
The dealers call for an exemption to comply with regulations published by Agricultural Food Authority (AFA) set to be implemented on March 24 for eight months.
In a seven-hour meeting held at Kalro headquarters in Kandara, Murang’a, the marketing agents pleaded with the Horticulture Crops Directorate (HCD) and other authorities they be allowed to operate for eight months as they prepare to comply.
There was acrimony in the meeting as they protested the decision to bar them from transporting the fruits in small vehicles saying the majority will be thrown out of the business by the regulation.
In the regulations, the marketing agents are required to transport the fruits in plastic boxes against the old trend of bundling them in the pick-ups.
Avocado Marketing Agents Chairman Joseph Mukuria said the players in the sector were interested to comply with the law only if they were given time to organize themselves.
The players in the sector are honest persons linked with hundreds of farmers, processors, and exporters.
“We are ready to comply with the regulations but we require a little time due to the expense involved,” said Mukuria.
Peter Kuria, an employee in a farm said transportation of the avocado will require a truck as Probox was ferrying 6,000 pieces while if packed in crates can only transport 15 crates estimated at 300 kilogrammes.
“The players require ample time to acquire trucks to be able to transport the fruits from the farmers to the processors. In the new system a crate will carry between 80 and 100 fruits depending on the size,” said Kuria.
HCD official, Sarah Ndegwa said there was a growing concern about the quality of the Kenyan avocado in the international market.
Ms Ndegwa said the debate on the introduction of the regulations has been a subject of discussion since 2018 in efforts to ensure Kenya’s quality was not compromised.
Uganda and Tanzania, she disclosed are set to overtake Kenya in production due to the intensive planting of the avocado trees.
“Transporting the avocado in crates is a good thing but the marketing agents are required to train their assistants in the field on how to care for the fruit to save it from rejection in the market,” said Ndegwa, the HCD official in charge of Kiambu county.
Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Okisegere Ojepat said the regulations if enforced, would help in tracing the origin of the avocado and protect the market.
The regulations, he said, are designed to help in the improved quality and ignore those harvesting immature avocados.
“The law allows closing and opening of avocado harvesting seasons, and licensing of the players in the sector,” said Mr Okisegere.
In a circular by AFA, the avocado for export will undergo 100 percent inspection, while the exporters engage with marketing agents who are licensed by the regulator.
“ The exporters must engage licensed marketing agents failure to which their licenses will be revoked,” read part of the circular by AFA Director Benjamin Tito dated March 13.
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