Avacado farmers in Nakuru county are set to benefit from a ksh 52 million project being spearheaded by the department of agriculture.
Through the project, the county is targeting at least 10,000 farmers who will receive avocado seedlings
On Wednesday, the department distributed 12,400 avocado seedlings. to 600 farmers in Maela ward, Naivasha Sub County under the avocado seedling distribution program.
This financial year, the Department of Agriculture increased the budgetary allocation to Kshs. 52 million, targeting about 10,000 farmers, up from Kshs. 42 million in the last financial year.
While distributing the seedlings, Agriculture Chief Officer, Mr. Kibet Maina, said that the County is reinforcing sensitization of crop diversification, increasing income as well as promoting food and nutrition security.
The Department will continue to distribute avocado seedlings in other sub-counties during this rainy season.
The county has been sensitizing farmers to venture into avocado farming due to the availability of markets in the Middle East and Asia.
With the partnership with other stakeholders like the avocado society of Kenya, the county has been able to hold farmer sensitization forums for avocado farmers in the county.
Through the forums, farmers have been trained on best and modern avocado training practices
The county has also been working around the clock to source for markets fro avocado farmers