Avocado farmers eye export market

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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