By Malachi Motano
The Nandi Avocado Co-operative Society has signed a memorandum with Sunripe Company Limited to produce and export fresh produce and fruits for farmers.
The business will involve production and export of fresh produce, organic vegetables, avocados and a range of frozen food.
Members of the society will be assisted to market their produce regionally and the international fronts.
According to the agreement, Sunripe Company Limited will provide a liaison between the farmer and avocado buyers both in Kenya and internationally as a marketer of their produce.
It offered a good deal of selling the produce at a standardized profitable rate of not less than Sh55 for Fuerte variety and not less than 80 per kilo for the Hass variety.
The move is in line with the County Government’s agenda to diversify emerging agriculture sectors while standing on the time- tasted result producing co-operative approach and principles.
The signing of the MOU was witnessed by the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development.
“The step taken is a good measure of the consequent efforts by the County Government through the department of Agriculture and Co-operative Development,” says the Chief Officer Cooperative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony.
She said the venture will make farmers embrace Avocado farming, whose demand is high both on local and international markets
She said they saw it best to secure stability and accountability towards Avocado farming as a profit booster, through organizing farmers into a cooperative to enable the society deliver on its mandate.
Tiony said partnering with the marketer and exporter will ensure success of the venture by the collaborative efforts of farmers in the same field with a shared objective.
Speaking during the signing of the MOU, she the initiative is supported by the County Government in areas capacity building, management and funding through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth (NARIGP) project.
She also challenged the society to increase its membership and have more farmers in Nandi enjoy the benefits that come with the project.
Nandi Avocado Cooperative Society was formed in the year 2019 and it now boasts of 593 members.
It is in process of constructing an Avocado pack house equipped with a warehouse, cooling systems, accompanied with a sorting and grading machine.
With the good will of Avocado farmers, the pack house is to be established at Lolduga, Lessos ward.
