Siaya and Kakuzi boost avocado, macadamia farming

The County Government of Siaya and agribusiness firm Kakuzi Plc in Kenya have announced plans for a technical collaboration to support avocado and macadamia farming in the county.

The collaboration will involve agricultural extension support services provided by Kakuzi to smallholder farmers in Siaya. Governor James Orengo said the county will facilitate farmer delegations to visit Kakuzi's orchards in Makuyu, Murang'a County, to gain first-hand experience in avocado and macadamia crop husbandry.

As part of its agribusiness strategy, the county will also explore sourcing quality Hass avocado and macadamia seedlings to expand farming of the two crops. "This visit has been a real eye-opener on the value of both avocado and macadamia farming as poverty eradication options. The delegation from Siaya County is impressed at the transformative social-economic, professional crop husbandry practices and environmental conservation efforts employed by Kakuzi, and which we will seek to emulate back home," Governor Orengo said.

The county government will begin technical capacity-building programs for its agricultural extension officers to advance avocado and macadamia value chain development. These officers will serve as frontline workers supporting smallholder farmers in their farming ventures.

Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers said the company is committed to helping farmers across Kenya increase their technical skills. "We support farmers from many Counties and we are honoured to collaborate with Governor Orengo and the County Government of Siaya in these endeavours. Kenya ranks as the fifth-largest producer of high-quality avocados for export, and Kakuzi welcomes partnerships with the County Government of Siaya, as it provides an opportunity to boost the production of quality Hass avocados for the domestic and even export markets," Flowers said.

He added, "In this collaborative partnership, we shall be seeking a win-win solution to advance the production and consumption of quality avocado fruits and macadamia nuts."

As part of the collaboration, Kakuzi will also participate in the upcoming Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO), scheduled for mid-next month. At the event, the company will showcase consumer products, including ready-to-eat macadamia nuts and cold-pressed macadamia cooking oil. The conference is designed to position Siaya as an investment destination and will bring together investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development partners to explore agribusiness and other opportunities.