Are you an avocado farmer in Kenya cultivating Hass avocados and seeking ways to boost your yields? Is your Hass avocado farm facing challenges due to pests and diseases? If so, this comprehensive guide is tailored to assist you in establishing a lucrative farming venture. It offers valuable insights on identifying pests and diseases, along with recommendations on the most effective fertilizers to enhance your yields by a minimum of 30%.
The Evolution of Avocado Cultivation in Kenya
Avocados, scientifically known as Persea Americana L., are evergreen trees thriving primarily in subtropical and tropical regions. Originating from Mexico and South America, avocados became globally cultivated in the 18th-19th century. In Kenya, Portuguese explorers introduced avocados during the 18th century, and by 1939, improved varieties like Lula, Nabal, Puebla, and Linda were already introduced.
In the Kenyan market, avocados are grown for local consumption, while varieties like Hass are specifically cultivated for export. Rich in essential minerals including vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and D, avocados have played a significant role in the country’s agricultural landscape.
The commercial avocado industry in Kenya traces back to 1923 when the Anderson family established the first avocado orchard in present-day Kitale, cultivating the fruit on a 200-acre land around Mt Elgon. Presently, the family continues their avocado farming tradition, being active members of the Avocado Society of Kenya. This society’s mission is to promote avocado cultivation across the nation, ensuring profitability for its members.
In recent years, Kenya has experienced substantial growth in avocado farming. As of June 2020, the country exported over 58 million kilograms of avocados to countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Morocco, South Africa, and the European Union, amounting to a total valuation of approximately 8 billion. The acreage dedicated to avocado cultivation has steadily increased, expanding from 13,305 hectares in 2015 to 20,000 hectares by 2017.
Hass avocados are prominently grown in regions such as Nyeri, Kiambu, Meru, and Kisii, with the entire Mt Kenya region proving conducive for avocado growth due to its favorable climatic conditions.
For farmers interested in cultivating different avocado varieties, consulting comprehensive avocado farming guides is essential to understand the specific requirements for successful cultivation.
Avocado Climate Requirements
Avocado trees thrive in tropical regions with altitudes ranging from 1500 to 2100 meters. It’s crucial for farmers to avoid planting avocados in frost-prone areas due to their low frost tolerance. Specifically, varieties like Simmonds, Booth 7, and 8 are well-suited for cultivation in hot and humid regions such as the coastal areas of Kenya.
Temperature and Rainfall
West Indian avocado varieties, including the popular Hass variety, thrive in temperatures ranging from 25 to 28 degrees Celsius. They require a consistent rainfall of at least 1000 mm throughout the growing season. Avocado farmers in Kenya are advised to employ irrigation techniques to ensure optimal yields.
In irrigated areas, it’s essential to control the water application, ensuring it does not exceed 50mm at any given time. Regular and controlled watering is necessary to prevent water stress, ensuring the trees remain healthy and productive.
Ideal avocado farming soil should be well-draining, with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. Waterlogged soils should be avoided, as they create a conducive environment for the growth of fungi, including root-rot disease. Proper soil drainage is crucial for the successful cultivation of avocados.
Hass Avocado
Kenya boasts a variety of avocado cultivars, with the Hass being the most renowned. Its popularity stems from its profitability, particularly in the export sector. Hass avocados typically ripen within 8 to 9 months after flowering. Initially, these avocados sport a green hue in their early stages, transitioning to a rich brown color as they mature. Characterized by thin and leathery skin, Hass avocados feature a distinctive pear shape.
Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya
Hass Avocado stands out with its large, round seed and purplish-brown hue when fully ripe. In contrast, most other varieties remain green even at the ripe stage. Hass avocados are distinguished by their buttery, creamy texture and sweet flavor.
Several factors contribute to why the Hass variety is hailed as the king of avocados globally:
- Preferred Culinary Uses: Hass avocados are favored for their exceptional taste and texture, making them a top choice in various culinary dishes.
- Higher Fat Content: Compared to other varieties, Hass avocados contain more fat, resulting in a smoother and creamier consistency, enhancing their culinary appeal.
- Extended Shelf Life: Hass avocados have a longer shelf life, making them suitable for extended transportation over long distances. This characteristic ensures their freshness upon arrival, even after lengthy journeys.
- Excellent Cooking Qualities: The Hass variety is renowned for its versatility in cooking, further enhancing its popularity among chefs and home cooks alike.
Benefits of Hass Avocado Farming in Kenya
Engaging in Hass avocado farming presents farmers with significant benefits, especially in the lucrative export market. Hass avocados enjoy high demand in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Egypt, making Kenyan farmers the primary suppliers in Europe as of 2023.
The profitability of Hass avocados is evident in their wholesale prices, which range from 10 to 17 shillings per fruit, in stark contrast to the Fuerte variety retailing at 3 to 5 shillings per fruit. Regulatory bodies like KEPHIS ensure the quality of these fruits.
Furthermore, planting Hass avocados requires minimal space, with a recommended spacing of 5 by 5 meters. This stands in stark contrast to other varieties, like the Nabal seed variety, which necessitates a larger spacing of 8 by 8 meters. Consequently, Hass avocados are accessible to small-scale farmers, allowing them to cultivate this profitable variety.
Farmers affiliated with the Avocado Society of Kenya enjoy additional advantages, including subsidized costs for tree seedlings and enhanced collaborations with exporters, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
The Ecological Aspects of Hass Avocado
For successful Hass avocado cultivation, it is advisable to choose regions with altitudes ranging from 1000 to 2000 meters. Adequate and evenly distributed rainfall between 1000 mm to 1600 mm throughout the year is crucial. During dry spells, irrigation is necessary to ensure optimal yields. Ideal planting locations should have well-drained soil with a pH level between 5 to 7.
Regions where Hass avocados thrive include:
- Meru
- Eldoret
- Kiambu
- Kisii
- Nyeri
- Murang’a
In areas such as Embu, Kathiani, Mua Hills, and Machakos, where natural rainfall may be insufficient, irrigation becomes essential for successful Hass avocado cultivation.
How to Plant Hass Avocados in Kenya
Before cultivating Hass avocados, it’s essential to prepare the soil adequately. Farmers are advised to use hybrid fertilizers, such as Safi Organics, to enhance yields by more than 30%. Follow these steps for planting Hass avocados:
- Soil Preparation: Plow the land up to 30cm deep, separating the topsoil from the subsoil. Introduce sufficient organic fertilizer to replenish the soil’s nutrients. For chemical fertilizer, DAP is recommended.
- Grafted Seedlings: Opt for grafted seedlings to increase disease resistance and adaptability to various soil types. Grafting ensures robust and resilient avocado trees.
By following these steps and employing suitable fertilizers, farmers can establish healthy and high-yielding Hass avocado orchards.
Planting Holes
The recommended standard spacing for Hass avocados is 5 by 5 meters. Consequently, one acre of land can accommodate a maximum of 150 avocado trees. Farmers are encouraged to dig the spaces in a straight manner, facilitating easier tree maintenance and harvesting. The dug holes should be 2 feet deep. However, in regions with limited rainfall, a depth of 1 meter is advisable to ensure adequate moisture retention for healthy growth.
Mulching and Pruning
Mulching is essential in Hass avocado farming, utilizing organic materials to curb evaporation and maintain optimal root temperatures, fostering healthy growth. Additionally, mulching aids in weed control, preventing weeds from competing for vital nutrients and water.
Pruning plays a vital role and should occur both before the flowering stage and after harvesting. Hass avocado farmers should also adopt thinning practices to minimize nutrient competition. By thinning the fruits, farmers ensure fewer but higher-quality avocados with marketable weight and size, as opposed to numerous low-quality fruits. This strategic approach enhances the overall quality of the yield.
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