Kakamega youth, women eye avocado export cash after skills training

Youth and women groups in Kakamega County are increasingly turning to avocado farming as a viable income stream after a targeted training programme to boost skills and strengthen the crop’s value chain. The participants attended a one-day session focused on controlling the Persea mite, a destructive pest that has recently emerged as a threat to avocado production and export quality. The training was facilitated by Tupande in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, with technical support from key agricultural agencies. Speaking during the session, Tupande Public Relations Officer Eugene Karoli said the programme aims to draw more young people into agribusiness by tapping into rising demand for avocados locally and internationally. “We are bringing more young people into avocado farming because the demand, both locally and internationally, is very high,” said Karoli. He said the organisation is already aggregating different avocado varieties, including Hass, Fuerte and local Jumbo ...