Granot International Company, one of the biggest producers of avocado from Israel has now opened its 400 hectares production farm at Ndabibi area in Naivasha to boost the fruit’s farming in Kenya.
This comes after the Israel government promised to partner with the country in increasing acreage under the produce and bring the latest technology in avocado production in the East African nation.
According to Giyora Merom, the farm’s CEO, Granot is expected to employ over 1,000 workers with the number expected to triple in the next couple of years.
“We are bringing our over 70 years of experience in avocado growing in the region having learnt that our production costs here will be cheaper compared to our competitors in Peru, Chile and Spain owing to the conducive production conditions in the area,” said Giyora.
Granot operates the largest avocado packing house in Israel and produces one-third of Israel’s total avocado yield. With annual revenue of more than USD 1.5 billion, it is one of the largest cooperatives in the world.
Climate change on cost of production
He admitted that the cost of production was a universal issue which had been caused by climate change and the soaring fuel prices.
“We have invested millions of dollars in this project which we expect to offer employment opportunities and new market for the produce,” he said.
He said the farm had over 300,000 seedlings meant to help farmers with technology which would help increase yield as the product was high demand globally.
“The main challenge we are experiencing is the poor road network which is making it a problem to access the farm,” he said.
Value addition
As the farm starts its operations in Kenya, it aims to create a value addition chain for both local consumption and export.
They have planted 55,000 trees of avocado with the ultimate target of 300,000 on a 400-hectare farm.
The Ndabibi farm will allow them to secure year-round avocado production for their new marketing arm. The project adds to existing avocado investments in Tanzania and Mozambique, for a total of over 1,250 hectares of production fields.
It will also increase the production capacity of high-value crops primarily for export, as well as short-cycle crops for the local market.
Israel support
Israel Ambassador Michael Lotem identified the farm as one of the many agriculture projects supported by his government.
He said Israel in partnership with the Government and other stakeholders would be opening more farms in the country with a view of impacting knowledge to farmers.
Nakuru CEC for Agriculture Leonard Bor said the county was keen to increase acreage under avocado as this was their flagship produce.
