A Ksh. 68 million Avocado Processing Plant has started operations at ATC – Kisii. The UK-funded Avocado factory is a collaboration with Kisii County and Avofresh.
The 70-tonne avocado extraction factory, operated by AvoFresh, will source avocados from local farmers in Kisii and neighbouring counties. This has been facilitated through UK funding, with the aim of creating resilient livelihoods and jobs for the community. It is targeting the export market of avocado oil. They contributed Ksh 68 million in funding through Sustainable Urban Economic Development Program-SUED.
“I wish to convey our gratitude, as a people, to the British Government for selecting Kisii Municipality among the top 12 fast-growing municipalities in Kenya where the UK Government is implementing programmes.
We intend to continue demonstrating our resolve for improved Quality of Life for our people, through the avocado fruit value chain through the creation of an enabling environment not only for this particular investor but for all other investments in our various sectors of the economy,” said Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
He was speaking during the factory’s commissioning which was also graced by the UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott.
According to the UK High Commission, the factory has created 100 direct jobs, over 1000 indirect jobs to farmers and others in the supply chain. The Kisii County government also supplied more than 120,000 Hass variety seedlings to farmers in the county.
