Farmers in Kenya have been complaining about market and low prices of their products. Be it maize, beans, coffee, tea or wheat these are common sentiments. This is so because of unpredictable prices, changing weather conditions, and expensive farm inputs.

Organizations and farming companies are offering new farming methods and better options such as Macadamia and Hass avocados.  In areas such as north rift where farmers are known to grow maize, organizations are enlightening farmers on Macadamia farming. The reason NGOs and other interested parties are concerned about North rift is because north rift is because they have fertile extensive lands which they can do large-scale farming.

Sasini, and other companies have invested heavily in North rift where they aim to buy Macadamia nuts and Hass Avocado fruits from farmers.

Hass avocado farming and Macadamia nuts farming is not only a good investment for the farmers but also to the environment as it improves the tree cover. The recommended forest cover in Kenya is 10% while currently its less than 7%.  Another advantage of Macadamia nuts and Hass Avocado is that a farmer will always harvest a fruit as long as he lives and the tree will remain. Unlike planting a tree such as Cyprus or cedar which will be harvested upon maturity.

According to hass avocado and macadamia traders, the market is increasing but there is limitation in production.

Unlike other crops farming, hass and fruit farming does not require much of your time and you can grow them as you still do other things.

Read: How to manage soil to prevent insects and pests

No short cuts for Hass avocado and Macadamia farming

If you are a farmer or you are interested in hass avocado or macadamia nuts farming and you want good production and better prices, don’t cut corners.

How to ensure you increase produce goods fruits, nuts

  • Ensure you plant the right variety (not just avocados or macadamia)
  • Always insist on certified seedlings
  • Maintain good care.

Start with clean and high-quality planting materials for higher yield. You should have known by now that export market requires quality procedure. At Oxfarm, we have quality seedlings (hass avocado and macadamia (Murang’a 20)) that are certified by both HCD and KEPHIS.

Read: Why you shouldn’t Worry about hass avocado Market

Advantages of Grafted Over Non-Grafted hass avocado and Macadamia nuts

  • Grafted do not take too long to mature – they take only 2-3 years to produce fruits while the non-grafted takes 7- 10 years
  • Production is more
  • Grafted trees do not grow as tall as the non-grafted ones

Kenya produces 150, 000 annually where 70% is grown by small-scale farmers. Over time, local market has been the biggest beneficiary but for the last few years things have changed drastically. Farmers are now interested on the export market and have now commercialized and there are more people interested in large scale farming of hass avocado.

Read: How to Boost Your Agribusiness Through Marketing

Don’t be left behind, change gears to tree fruit farming and make money as you still do other things.