Overview

Avocado is a high-value tree crop with strong demand in domestic and export markets, particularly for the Hass avocado. In areas with suitable soils, temperatures and rainfall—or reliable irrigation—well-managed grafted trees can provide farmers with income for many years once they begin producing fruit.

FIPS promotes healthy, grafted seedlings of improved varieties and works with partners to improve farmers’ access to quality planting material and reliable markets. It aims to establish at least 1,000 trees in each participating village, creating sufficient volumes to make commercial off-taking viable.

Support Farmers Receive From VBAs

Advice on selecting suitable avocado varieties, such as Hass and Fuerte, based on the farmer’s location, market opportunities, and production goals.
Support in sourcing and high-quality grafted seedlings from reliable suppliers.
Guidance on orchard establishment, including site selection, spacing, planting-hole preparation, manure application, and early tree care.
Training in soil fertility and water management, mulching, water conservation, and irrigation for young and mature trees.
Practical advice on pruning, canopy management, and maintaining healthy, productive trees.
Support in identifying and managing common pests and diseases, including fruit flies, aphids, mites, anthracnose and root rot.
Guidance on safe and responsible use of crop-protection products where necessary.
Advice on harvesting mature fruits at the right stage to maintain quality and reduce losses.
Support with sorting, grading, and handling fruit, and linkages to local buyers, aggregators and export-oriented markets where available.

FIPS Market Systems Facilitation

FIPS facilitates stronger avocado market systems by connecting farmers with trained advisers, reliable nurseries, input suppliers, buyers and other value-chain partners.

Through these partnerships, farmers can access quality planting material, practical production advice and support to meet market requirements. FIPS embeds Village-based Advisers within farming communities and enables them to earn income by connecting farmers to input and output markets and providing services such as pruning. This commercially sustainable model strengthens local support systems, improves their resilience to shocks and creates lasting benefits for farmers and rural communities.

Pro-Tip

A well-managed Hass avocado tree in Western Kenya can produce 200–500 fruits per season at maturity — providing significant household income from a single tree, with minimal annual input cost after establishment.

Farmer Voice

"I planted twelve Hass avocado trees six years ago with help from the FIPS VBA, who guided me on pruning and pest control every season. Last year, each tree yielded over 300 fruits. I sold them at export prices and earned more from those twelve trees than from my entire maize and bean farm. My children's school fees are now secure."

Samuel Barasa

Farmer, Bungoma County

Overview

Support Farmers Receive From VBAs

FIPS Market Systems Facilitation

Pro-Tip

Farmer Voice

Improved varieties drive up farmers' income Avocado

Improved varieties drive up farmers' income
Avocado

Why FIPS exists

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Avocado

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