Are you an Avocado farmer looking for a Hass avocado farming guide to increase yields in Kenya? Is your Hass avocado farm infested with pests and diseases? If yes, this guide will help you create a profitable farming venture. The guide will also help you identify pests, diseases, and the best fertilizer to increase yields by at least 30%.
History of Avocado Farming in Kenya
Avocados are evergreen trees that thrive best in subtropical
and tropical regions. The fruit is also one of the most cultivated species in
the world and is native to Mexico and South America. The fruit was introduced
to other parts of the world in the 18th -19th century. The scientific name of
Avocados is Persea Americana L.
Avocados were introduced in the country by the Portuguese
during the 18th century. By 1939, improved varieties such as the Lula, Nabal,
Puebla, and Linda had already been introduced.
In Kenya, avocados are grown for the local market, but
varieties such as the Hass are produced for export. The fruit contains minerals
such as vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and D. The first commercial Avocado orchard was
set up in 1923 by the Anderson family in present-day Kitale. Currently, the
family grows the fruit on a 200-acre land around Mt Elgon.
Members of the family are also members of the Avocado Society of Kenya. The
society’s work is to promote Avocado growth in the country and make it
profitable for its members. Kenya has exported more than 20,000 tonnes of
fruits since 2003.
Avocado Farming in Present Times
As of June 2020, Kenya has exported more than 58 million
kilograms of Avocados to countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Hong
Kong, Qatar, Morocco, South Africa, and the European Union. The total valuation
of these kilograms is around 8 Billion.
Avocado farming in Kenya had steadily increased since 2015,
when the acreage was 13,305 Ha. This later increased to 20,000 Ha by the year
2017.
Hass avocados are grown in Nyeri, Kiambu, Meru, and Kisii
regions. The entire Mt Kenya region can facilitate Avocado growth because of
its climatic conditions.
If you are planting other varieties, read our avocado
farming guide to know what is required.
Avocado Climate Requirements
Avocados grow best in tropical regions and areas with an
altitude of 1500 -2100 meters. Farmers should avoid planting avocados in areas
affected by frost because they have low frost tolerance. Varieties such as the
Simmonds, Booth 7, and 8 are ideal for growing in hot and humid areas such as
the coastal parts of Kenya.
Temperature and Rainfall
West Indian avocado varieties, such as the Hass variety,
thrive best at 25 – 28 degrees Celsius. In addition, the preferred rainfall
should be at least 1000 mm and spread throughout the growing season. Avocado
farmers in Kenya are encouraged to use irrigation techniques for optimal
yields.
Where irrigation is preferred, water should not be more than
50mm at any time. In addition, it should be regularly applied to avoid water
stress.
The best soils for avocado farming should be free-draining
soils with a pH of 5.5 – 6.5. Water-logged soil should be avoided because they
create a perfect atmosphere for developing fungi such as root-rot disease.
Agronomy services
If you are a first-time avocado farmer, you need to ensure
you work with an expert to increase yields and identify diseases early on in
the growth cycle. In addition, only plant avocados after a soil test. Our agronomists in Kenya are
trained to identify various pests and diseases that attack avocadoes.
Our agronomists are located nationwide, and we respond to
inquiries in less than 24 hours.
Avocado Varieties Grown in Kenya
There are different avocado varieties grown in Kenya. The
most popular is the Hass variety, which is preferred for its profitability,
especially in the export market. Hass Avocados mature in 8 -9 months after
blossoming. During the early stages of the fruit, Hass is green in color but
gradually turns brown as it develops. It has thin and leathery skin with a pear
shape,
Other avocado varieties grown in Kenya include:
Fuerte
The Fuerte variety is a crossbreed between Guatemalan and
Mexican species. Each fruit weighs around 140 -395 grams when mature. It has a
pear shape with a medium seed. One thing farmers need to note about this
variety is that it is susceptible to diseases such as Scub and
Anthracnose.
Fuerte avocados have smooth green skin, and unlike the Hass
variety, Fuerte does not change color when it matures.
Puebla Avocados
Puebla avocados mature in 5 -7 months and have a deep
maroon-purple color, a roundish shape, and a smooth glossy feel. The seed is
medium-sized with a conical shape. The Puebla variety is sold locally, and the
seedlings are used as a rootstock.
In addition, they have a nutty aroma with a rich butter taste.
Nabal Avocados
This Guatemalan variety matures in 8-9 months after
blossoming. Nabla varieties should be planted at intervals of 8M by 8 M. When
mature, it has green/yellow flesh, and the tree always grows upright.
Pinkerton Variety
This fruit variety is known for its long pear-shaped size
and dark/pale green color. The recommended spacing for this variety is 6m by
6m.
The two most important commercial fruit varieties are Hass
and Fuerte. This is sold in the export market, while Fuerte is sold in the
local market.
Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya
Hass Avocado can be distinguished by its large round seed
and purplish brown color when ripe. Other varieties are usually green in color,
even when ripe. Hass also has a buttery and creamy texture with a sweet
taste.
There are specific reasons why the Hass variety is
considered the king of all avocados in the world. These are:
- It is
preferred for its culinary uses
- It has
more fat than other varieties making it smoother and creamier
- Hass
avocados have longer shelf life making it easier to ship for long
distances
- Has
good cooking qualities
Benefits of Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya
One of the main benefits of Hass avocado farming to farmers
is its lucrative returns in the export market. It has a big demand in countries
such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Egypt. It is estimated that in
2023, the largest importers of Hass avocados in Europe will be Kenyan
farmers.
The wholesale prices of Hass fruits are also lucrative
because the prices retail at 10 -17 per fruit when compared to the Fuerte
variety, which is bought at 3 -5 shillings per fruit. Various government
bodies, including KEPHIS, regulate
fruit quality.
Another advantage of planting this variety is that it
requires little space with the recommended spacing of 5 by 5 meters. Compare
this to other types that need a spacing of 8 by 8 meters, like the Nabal seed
variety. Therefore, Hass can be planted by small-scale farmers.
It is important to note that farmers registered with the
Avocado Society of Kenya get tree seedlings at subsidized costs. Also, farmers
benefit from better synergies created between them and exporters.
Hass Avocado Ecology
It would be best to plant Hass avocados in regions with an
altitude of 1000 – 2000m. Rainfall should be evenly distributed throughout the
year, with a minimum rainfall of 1,000 mm -1600mm. Hass avocados should be
irrigated during the dry season for optimal yields. Farmers should plant this
avocado variety in well-drained soil with a pH of 5 – 7.
Regions where Hass avocados do well include:
- Meru
- Eldoret
- Kiambu
- Kisii
- Meru
- Nyeri
- Murang’a
When planted in areas such as Embu, Kathiani, Mua Hills, and
Machakos, they should be irrigated.
How to Plant Hass Avocados in Kenya
Before planting these avocados, ensure that the soil is
well-fertilized. Farmers are encouraged to use hybrid fertilizer, which
increases yield by more than 30%. An excellent example of such a fertilizer
is Safi organics. The following
steps should be taken when planting Hass avocados:
Ensure the land is plowed up to 30cm deep and the topsoil is
separated from the subsoil. After that, add enough organic fertilizer to the
soil to replenish the missing nutrients. When using chemical fertilizer, use
DAP.
Hass avocados should be grown from grafted seedlings to
increase their disease resistance. In addition, grafting makes the trees
adaptable to various types of soil.
Planting Holes
Standard Hass spacing is 5 by 5 meters. This means that an
acre of land should hold a maximum of 150 Avocado trees. Farmers are advised to
dig the spaces straight to make it easier to tend the trees and harvest. The
dug holes should be 2 feet deep or 1 meter deep if being planted in regions
with poor rainfall levels.
Mulching and Pruning
Mulching should be done using organic materials to reduce
evaporation and high root temperatures affecting growth. In addition, mulching
helps reduce weeds which directly compete for nutrients and water.
Pruning should be done before the flowering stage and after
harvesting. Hass avocado farmers should also practice thinning to reduce
competition for nutrients. Instead of many low-quality fruits, thinning will
guarantee fewer quality fruits with a marketable weight and size.