Siaya farmers look to avocado farming to turn fortunes

A section of avocado farmers in Ugenya Constituency, Siaya County, have urged the County Government to ease access to the 'Hass' variety of seedlings, which they say they have to travel to Murang 'a to buy.

Under the umbrella of Siaya Avocado Farmers Cooperative, SAFCO, and led by their chairman, Mike Otieno Okoyo, they said that avocado farming has the ability toboost Siaya's economy.

However, county Trade CEC Grace Agola said that there is already a plan to distribute avocado seedlings to ensure Siaya produces enough avocado to meet market demand.

She said, “We are aware of the challenges that young cooperatives are facing. We are planning a project for an industrial park and are in talks with those interested in starting seedling farms.”

Jackton Arek, the secretary general for the cooperative, said, “Our aim has been to offer the highest quality of produce for the market and we need the county’ support.”