This week, a 5-year strategy plan for the Bungoma Avocado Farmers Association (BAFA) is being released. The plan aims to increase production of avocados across the west region of Kenya. BAFA President, John Ndengwa, urged farmers to think about switching from maize and mixed farming production and to focus on avocados in order to satisfy the growing market demand.

Ndengwa stated that the organization collaborates in partnership with Bungoma County government as well as various other organisations to enlist 3000 farmers in the growing of avocados. Ndengwa said that as per previous research, the climate in Bungoma encourages avocado production.

He said: “We are partnering with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) in order to improve production of avocado. The idea is to promote small-scale farmers, as avocado farming requires only just a small area of space.”

“The introduction of the industrial park that is aggregated located in Bungoma is an enormous victory for us because it adds value to the manufacturing of avocado-based products including oil extraction and thus generate additional income for farmer,” he added.

Source: nwnewsnetwork.org