Nakuru County Government has increased financial allocation for avocado seedlings distribution program to Sh 52 million up from Sh 42 million allocated last year, in a move aimed at upgrading avocado production in the County.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the programme is set to benefit 10,000 avocado farmers across the County reports www.kenyanews.go.ke
He said the certified seedlings will enable farmers reap high yields, adding that not only will they earn good money, but also improve on the environment as well as benefit from other avocado tree products such as firewood and timber.
County Chief Officer for Agriculture, Kibet Maina, said the County was targeting to distribute over 66,000 avocado seedlings across the County before the end of this Financial Year.
He said the Department of Agriculture in the County was donating avocado seedlings to farmers in various Sub-counties, including Kuresoi South where farmers in Keringet, Tibet and Amalo Wards have benefitted from the avocado stimulus program.
He added that other farmers drawn from Njoro, Gilgil, Molo, Nakuru East and Nakuru West Sub-counties have received a total of 31,998 avocado seedlings this financial year.
Maina, however, called on the avocado farmers to form cooperatives societies to enable them have a high bargaining power when selling their produce, particularly export produce.
Kenya has been known to support its budget through agriculture majoring on exports of tea, coffee and cut-flowers. However, Avocado is now getting a lot of attention with Kenya said to be in an ideal location for avocado production since it’s in subtropical climates.