Farmers in Narok County are transitioning from wheat farming to avocado cultivation, driven by expansive arable land and a burgeoning export market.
Avocado, a key horticultural crop, constitutes 75% of Kenya’s fresh fruit exports, with small-scale farmers producing 80% of the total output. In 2019, Kenya became Africa’s top avocado exporter and ranked sixth globally, despite exporting only 10% of its production.
Murang’a County currently leads in avocado production, contributing 32% of the national output, followed by Kiambu and Kisii at 13% each. Narok farmers, like Joel Kimtai, believe their county could soon surpass Murang’a due to vast land availability and an increasing shift to avocado farming.
Farmers report higher incomes and improved livelihoods but face challenges such as limited access to certified seedlings, insufficient extension services, and logistical hurdles. Cooperatives like Cismara Avocado Cooperative Society and Murang’a Avocado Farmers Union have helped address some issues by providing support and infrastructure for export.
The sector continues to expand into non-traditional avocado-growing regions, but pests like the False Codling Moth threaten the industry. Stakeholders call for greater government investment in pest control and technical support to sustain growth and competitiveness.
