Avocado fruit is an important export commodity from
Kenya. Kenya has a place in the international markets alongside the other producer
countries like Chile, Peru and South Africa. In Dubai 70 to 80 per cent of
avocado fruit come from Kenya when the fruit is in season. There is also a
specific window for Kenya, due to a longer season which runs from March to
September enabling good returns. There is need for agro-enteprneurs to acquire
the relevant accreditation including KenyaGap, GlobalGap and ISO compliance
certificates to compete on a worldwide scale. The crop takes about 3 years to
give the first produce. During this period fast growing crops may be
interplanted between rows to ensure sustainability of income generation from
the avacado orchard. One acre can give a gross income of Ksh 2Million per year
with minimal inputs.
Avocado Varieties: Fuerte and Hass are the main export varieties. Other varieties include Nabal, Puebla, Pinkerton, Tonnage, Simmonds.
Ecological requirements
Altitude: 1500-2100 m a.s.l. depending on variety,
Altitude: 1500-2100 m a.s.l. depending on variety,
Rainfall: at least 1,000 mm p.a.
Temperature: 25-280C,
Soils: Deep, fertile and well
aerated, Optimum pH 5.5-6.5.
Propagation: Grafting or budding methods are used for avocado propagation. Wedge grafting is preferred.
Nursery: Use healthy, egg sized
seeds to produce rootstock.
Grafting: when the seedling reach pencil size thickness.
Avocado orchard establishment:
Land preparation: Remove
tree stumps, bushes and perennial
weeds and then plough the ground to 30 cm depth.
Planting holes: 60 x 60 x 60 cm to be dug
early before planting
Spacing: and 7 x 4 m for high density, 9 x 9 m for conventional planting.
Fertilizer: CAN
Age of tree
|
Manure (kg/tree)
|
1-3yrs
|
45
|
4-5yrs
|
45
|
6-7yrs
|
60
|
Over 8yrs
|
60
|
Pruning: 1st years pruning is done
to encourage lateral growth
and multiple framework branching. Maintenance pruning
done annually after harvesting.
Windbreak: Placed at right angles to
the prevailing winds.
Weed control: Manual weeding, cover crops
(preferably with
Legumes) or mulching.
Yield: Production of avocado orchard is 250-300 kg/tree/year.
Post harvest: Cool storage within 24 hours
Utilization: Eaten fresh, used in
ice cream flavouring,
base for milk shakes and soups. Oil is used for the manufacture
of creams, lotions and soaps.
Marketing: The main export varieties
are Fuerte and Hass.
