Abel Ndiga Kararel, a 71-year-old blind grower in Kiamurunga village, Kirinyaga Central, Kenya, generates gross annual revenue of more than KSh 1.12 million (US$8,700) from 464 Hass avocado trees on a 2.8-hectare orchard.

The orchard yields around 14 tons of avocados annually, with Kararel receiving approximately KSh 80 (US$0.62) per kilogram.

Kararel previously kept dairy cattle, but after losing his sight, the day-to-day requirements of dairy farming became difficult to manage. He began looking for an agricultural activity requiring less labour and supervision. In 2016, he planted his first 30 Hass avocado trees using seedlings sourced from Nyeri and subsequently expanded the orchard to 464 trees.

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To develop the technical knowledge required to manage the orchard, Kararel sought training from agrochemical companies and worked with agricultural extension officers on orchard management and yield improvement.

“You get paid on the farm. It requires less time and manpower and can be practised by anyone as long as you have the best tree,” Kararel says.

The farm employs workers to assist with orchard activities. Kararel also shares his experience with other growers in Kirinyaga who are establishing or managing avocado orchards.

He identifies counterfeit agricultural chemicals and limited knowledge of avocado cultivation as challenges for growers in the region. Kararel is calling for increased agricultural extension services to help growers meet export market requirements.

Kenyan Hass avocados are finding buyers in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. For small-scale growers, access to markets, seedlings, agronomic practices, and post-harvest handling are among the factors affecting orchard returns.