Small scale avocado farmers in Murang’a County have formed a co-operative sacco that will be launched next week.
The co-operative sacco will aid exporting and marketing of the produce in the European market.
“We are sure avocado will overtake coffee as the most important cash crop in Murang’a once we complete the whole cycle and start exporting to Europe,” said governor Mwangi wa Iria.
Up to 30,000 farmers are estimated to have benefited from the scheme with the first crop from the fast maturing variety expected next year.
Avocado production has been on the rise driven by demand in Europe and the local market. Interestingly, the variety produced in the region has high concentration of oil and wax.
“Avocado consumption in Kenya stands at between 2-3kg annually, below the European average of 10-15kg per year.Kenya produces about 115 metric tonnes of avocado annually, 70 per cent of which is grown by small-scale farmers,” said the governor.