The County Government of Uasin Gishu has facilitated planting of over 2,000 hectares of avocado. Farmers are supplied with free seedlings in a program centered on diversification for economic empowerment. The county has started reaping from the initiative as currently it is the second in the country in avocado production after Murang’a.
“As a county we are happy because the first batch of trees are being harvested, meaning we will soon contribute in satisfying the export market. Avocado is gold. It is a sure bet to economic stability and if you want to enjoy an effortless retirement, plant these trees and you will never regret,” says Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno.
He was peaking during a visit to Limpopo Farm in Uasin Gishu County. The farm belongs to former Central Bank of Kenya Governor, Micah Cheserem. The 50 acre farm has 38 acres under avocado and runs purely on solar power. On Wednesday the farm sold eight tonnes (8000 kilograms) of avocado fruit to Biofarms, an avocado exporter showing the potential of the fruit in the region. Lorna Cheserem, a manager at Limpopo Farm has got only praises for the plant. “An avocado plant needs care especially before it starts to produce. You need water and manure. You care for it and you will pick up to 600 fruits per tree per year,” she says.
Geoffrey Kipchumba a farmer from Tuiyoluk, Tembelio Ward says he has been cultivating maize and wheat for decades but decided to plant 100 trees when he heard the county government encouraging farmers to diversify. “I harvested 1000 kilograms as the first produce.
Before the end of this year, I want to make it 500 trees because I want to enjoy a good retirement,” he says. Francis Serem another farmer says he had doubts concerning the market. He has now decided to invest in avocados after learning that that there are at least three avocado buying companies coming to Uasin Gishu.
The County Government of Uasin Gishu has facilitated planting of over 2,000 hectares of avocado. Farmers are supplied with free seedlings in a program centered on diversification for economic empowerment. The county has started reaping from the initiative as currently it is the second in the country in avocado production after Murang’a.
“As a county we are happy because the first batch of trees are being harvested, meaning we will soon contribute in satisfying the export market. Avocado is gold. It is a sure bet to economic stability and if you want to enjoy an effortless retirement, plant these trees and you will never regret,” says Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno.
He was peaking during a visit to Limpopo Farm in Uasin Gishu County. The farm belongs to former Central Bank of Kenya Governor, Micah Cheserem. The 50 acre farm has 38 acres under avocado and runs purely on solar power. On Wednesday the farm sold eight tonnes (8000 kilograms) of avocado fruit to Biofarms, an avocado exporter showing the potential of the fruit in the region. Lorna Cheserem, a manager at Limpopo Farm has got only praises for the plant. “An avocado plant needs care especially before it starts to produce. You need water and manure. You care for it and you will pick up to 600 fruits per tree per year,” she says.
Geoffrey Kipchumba a farmer from Tuiyoluk, Tembelio Ward says he has been cultivating maize and wheat for decades but decided to plant 100 trees when he heard the county government encouraging farmers to diversify. “I harvested 1000 kilograms as the first produce.
Before the end of this year, I want to make it 500 trees because I want to enjoy a good retirement,” he says. Francis Serem another farmer says he had doubts concerning the market. He has now decided to invest in avocados after learning that that there are at least three avocado buying companies coming to Uasin Gishu.
