Kenya inks MoU for avocado processing in Kisii

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Kenya inks MoU for avocado processing in Kisii

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between Kisii County government and Avofresh Processors Limited for the processing of avocados and support avocado farmers get fair prices from their produce.

Avofresh Director, Fernando Marques, who inked the deal with the Ministry of Agriculture said that through the support of the UK Aid’s Sustainable Economic Development Programme (SUED), they have established collection centres around the county to allow for easy collection of the avocados.

“As a start, we have already gathered over 20 tonnes of fruits and believe that we have started practicing fair trade with the farmers whereby we are paying them a fair price within seven days. The factory will begin its full operations in September and will process up to 100 tonnes of avocados per day,” he said.

Unlimited markets

Deputy British High Commissioner, Julius Court added that the project will create additional jobs in the factory, provide unlimited markets and increase income to the avocado farmers in the county.

“We are much focused on the climate side of this, it is really important that the waste will be managed in a circular process where we are reusing the waste and that becomes a key part of the project,” said Court.

Kisii Governor, James Ongwae said the factory will be a game changer to over 269, 683 farmers, 648 individuals involved in the collection and over 100 wholesalers in the avocado value chain. He pointed out that the county is keen on strengthening the avocado value chain saying that avocado farming was previously done for subsistence purposes and on a small scale.

Currently, Kisii County has 34 major wholesalers of avocado who export about 80 tonnes of avocado per day. The Governor noted they had registered the Kisii County Avocado Cooperative in all the sub counties to enable farmers address the possible challenges they experienced in their previous value chain such as getting rid of middlemen. The factory is expected to process avocado oil that will be used for making cooking oil and cosmetics among other products.

Avocado farmers in Kisii County grow three different types of avocado, the Kisii Landraces at 70% cent, Hass at 20% and Fuerte at 10%. However, the county is keen on improving the production of Hass varieties of avocado to 70% and has already distributed 300,000 seedlings to the farmers.