Modern grading and packaging facility to boost Murang’a avocado farmers’ pay, create jobs
FLORENCE KINYUA- KNA
Avocado farmers in Murang’a are optimistic about increased earnings following the launch of a modern grading line and pack house in Nga’raria Ward, Kandara Constituency.
The avocado aggregation and packing centre, complete with a cold storage facility at the Murang’a Avocado Farmers Cooperative Union Ltd. (MAVOC), has a membership of 5,689 farmers from 16 affiliate primary cooperatives in the county’s avocado-growing areas.
Speaking during the launch of the centre, Governor Irungu Kang’ata observed that his administration is committed to strengthening and supporting avocado farmers in the region.
He lauded the Murang’a Avocado Farmers Cooperative Union for uniting local farmers and creating access to reliable markets, thus securing better prices for their produce.
He reiterated the county government’s com - mitment to supporting farmers through improved infrastructure and market linkages.
“The facility is not only a step forward for Murang’a’s agricultural sector but also a major employment opportunity for our youth,” he noted.
“It will also add value to our avocados thus helping farmers fetch higher prices for their produce,” he added. Kangata also hinted at plans for future value addition of avocado.
The facility that is fully owned and managed by the farmers marks a new dawn for the farmers as it will enable MAVOC to meet international quality standards by providing centralized sorting, washing, grading and packaging thus increasing the marketability and traceability of Murang’a avocados internationally.
Nominated MP Sabina Chege and a member of the National Assembly Agriculture Committee emphasized the need for clear guidelines to protect farmers from theft of their avocado.
“Now that we have this facility, what we need are proper regulations including the timing of harvesting and transporting the fruits so as to curb rampant theft of avocados from the farms” she said, urging other farmers to join cooperatives as it is only through unity and organized marketing that they can fully benefit from such investments.
Farmers who attended the launch expressed optimism that the new facility would solve the recurring challenge of post-harvest losses. They cited years of low prices and post -harvest losses due to lack of proper storage and market structures.
They welcomed the new development saying it marks a turning point in their avocado farming journey.
“I have been growing avocados for over ten years and I have over 100 trees” said Purity Mwihaki Warui from Gikuu Village
“There was a time we would sell a single avocado fruit for just Sh3 but since we joined the cooperative, we have been getting around Sh80 per kilo, and with this new facility we are certain that it will rise to Sh100 or more. It gives us dignity and returns worth our effort,” she said.
Mwihaki, who is also an ECDE teacher harvests up to 5 tonnes of the fruit per season.