BY ANGELA R. KIURA
More than 60 farmers from Itabua Village in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, have undergone training on proper avocado farming techniques in a fresh push by the county government to improve productivity, enhance household incomes, and strengthen food security.
The training, conducted by the County Department of Agriculture, is part of a broader program targeting farmers across all wards to address crop failures linked to poor agronomic practices and delayed planting.
County officials said the initiative was informed by significant losses recorded during the previous planting season, particularly among maize farmers, who experienced reduced yields and financial setbacks due to improper farming methods.
Following the session, participating farmers were issued with certified avocado seedlings to plant at their homes. Officials noted that the move aims to promote crop diversification and economically empower households through high-value horticulture.
One of the beneficiaries, Nancy Wawira, welcomed the program, saying inadequate technical knowledge had previously led to avocado trees failing to mature or produce quality yields.
She observed that avocado scarcity in the area had also contributed to rising cases of theft, expressing optimism that increased production would improve availability, stabilize supply and help families meet essential needs such as paying school fees.
Itabua Location Chief Dorothy Wawira said the initiative would strengthen avocado production to supply raw materials to the Embu County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), improving market access for local farmers.
She added that structured supply to the aggregation park is expected to cushion farmers from price fluctuations and guarantee more stable returns.
At the same time, the chief warned individuals involved in crop theft that authorities would intensify enforcement measures to safeguard farmers’ investments as avocado farming expands across the area.
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