The Kevote Avocado Farmers Co-operative have achieved the Global Good Agricultural Practices (Global GAP) certification that will enable them to access global markets for their produce.
The 32 will be part of the 300 farmers in Murang’a county who have been trained by social enterprise, One Acre Fund, to grow organic, pest-free fruits that are in demand in the world market.
The certification comes as a relief to farmers as they will be connected to an international buyer, who is offering good prices of Ksh.100 for the high in-demand Hass avocado, unlike the middlemen who would buy at sh. 5 -sh.10.
Embu County Director of Co-operatives Mugendi Ndwiga speaking at Makengi Police post during a ceremony where certificates were issued to the farmers said, they hoped that the number of certified farmers to rise to 200 by the end of the year.
Mugendi added that they are looking for more partnerships as they seek to increase the avocado’s importance as a cash crop in the county that has previously been dependent on coffee, tea, and macadamia for cash.
He invited the youth to join in the growing avocado train saying, unlike tea and coffee the fruit did not demand too much of the farmer’s time and attention.
Mr. Daniel Omondi of the One Acre Fund said their organization hoped to increase the value the farmers draw from the crop and hoped to be eventually working with 1500 households in the area.
He said the food safety certification will give the area’s fruits wider market acceptability.