Murang’a farmers are calling for combined efforts from all relevant stakeholders to restrain increased theft of avocado.
The farmers further claim the theft is not only targeting avocados but other farms products.
During a press briefing on Monday, they said that their efforts to guard their produce have been futile as the perpetrators of the crime also access their farms during the day.
The criminal activity, farmers observed, can only be ended if all relevant stakeholders which include the local county government, elected leaders, and security agencies, intervene to ensure their farm produce is protected from the daring thieves.
They argued that the trend is causing them huge losses and posing a risk of exporting immature avocados to international markets.
Former Murang’a county speaker and who is also an avocado farmer Mr. Nduati Kariuki cited the theft is perpetuated by a group of youth who are addicted to drugs.
Nduati noted that the young people could not work for wages forcing local farmers to import work force from outside the county.
He explained that one way to eliminate theft of farm produce is to fight drug abuse among youth from the area.
“Liquor and drugs are not only destroying our future since the future relies on the youth but also destroying our economy.” Added Nduati.
On his part, chairman of Murang’a county avocado union, Mr. John Mwaniki divulged that the union failed to meet its avocado production target last year due to theft.
Mwaniki observed that members of the union who are more than 3, 000 managed to produce 258 tons against the targeted 600 tons.
He called for assenting of the avocado bill which was passed by the previous county assembly so as to streamline the sector.
An official with Alivado Company Mr. Munene Gicharu highlighted that his firm since last year has incurred losses of more than 50 million due to the theft of avocados further adding that exporting low-quality fruits has prompted many international buyers to avoid purchasing Kenyan avocado.