Growing avocados organically is straightforward. This is because it involves working with natural processes to maintain or improve profitability of an avocado orchard. Therefore, organic avocado farming is all about using resources like soil and water responsibly and at the same time taking care of the environment.
Organic Avocado Farming Practices in Kenya
Organic avocado growers in Kenya focus on cultural practices that limit the need for external and off-farm inputs. They have to fight pests and diseases and grow avocados in plenty with the help of other methods. Here are some of these practices.
Soil Management
Healthy soil is crucial for organic avocado production. This kind of soil is teeming with microorganisms and small creatures resulting in high organic matter. Clearly, the more organic matter, the healthier the soil is.
An avocado farm will bear abundant fruit only on healthy soil. Farmers who grow avocados organically in Kenya know the usefulness of soil organisms. They know that no matter the size, these organisms are useful in ways such as:
- Earthworms, mites, bacteria, fungi release mineral nutrients through decomposition, create loose soil structure and mix soil for aeration.
- Some fungi grow in and around plant roots, mining subsoil for nutrients and water.
- Other microorganisms prevent diseases and help trees withstand insect attacks.
Compost
Organic avocado farmers in Kenya rely on inputs like compost. Materials around the farm such as food waste, manure, leaves, straw, hay, sawdust make up compost. Even though these materials are seen as waste, when mixed and allowed to decompose above the ground, create valuable compost. Composting is good for avocado trees because:
- It improves soil structure
- It provides a diversity of microorganisms and nutrients
- It increases pest tolerance
- It leads to elevated yields
Cover Crops
Since avocado farms in Kenya draw nutrients out of the soil, those nutrients have to be replenished so as to maintain a bountiful yield. As a result, organic avocado farmers in Kenya plant cover crops like legumes around the trees to improve soil fertility. Cover cropping also helps with weed control.
Mulching
Considering that avocado trees have a number of surface roots, mulching is beneficial. It is for this reason that organic avocado farmers in Kenya apply mulch. This mulch helps conserve water, increases soil microorganisms and decreases chances of root disease.
Weed Management
Organic avocado farmers in Kenya do their best to keep their orchards free of weeds by:
- Maintaining a dense canopy
- Mulching
- Mechanical methods like pulling
- Cover cropping creates competition with weeds for nutrients
- Composting destroys seeds of weeds
Pest and Disease Management
Organic avocado farmers in Kenya employ alternative strategies to reduce and control pests without the use of synthetic pesticides. This involves utilizing various tools instead of one in an approach known as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Organic pest management in Kenya includes:
- Using naturally-derived substances like neem oil, natural pyrethrum, garlic, oil-based herbicides as a last resort
- Using biological pesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and approved amount of copper spray when an avocado tree is attacked by disease
- Biological controls such as wild flowers, insects like ladybugs, predatory mites, wasps, hover flies
- Mechanical controls like trapping
Irrigation
Organic avocado farmers in Kenya use drip irrigation especially during dry seasons to minimize weed growth. They also maintain a mulch layer around trees and drainage channels in the orchard to drain excess water when it rains. In addition, these farmers maintain soil pH in the range 5.5 to 6.9.
Other organic avocado management practices in Kenya are:
- Using disease tolerant rootstocks like Dusa and varieties like Hass
- Applying rock dust for soil calcium
- Applying compost tea
- Applying liquid fertilizers like sea weed extract
- Applying minerals like dolomite, lime, gypsum, potassium sulphate in powder form
Benefits of Organic Avocado Farming in Kenya
Here are some of the benefits of growing organic avocados in Kenya:
- It eliminates the threat of toxic chemicals on fruit
- It conserves and builds soil health
- It preserves and increases biodiversity which supports a healthy ecosystem
- It reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- It reduces water and air pollution
- Farmers can earn a higher profit because healthier trees bear better yields
- It helps trees become more resilient to changing weather conditions
How to Become a Certified Avocado Farmer in Kenya
There are two kinds of organic avocado orchards in Kenya. While certified organic farms produce avocados for domestic and export markets, informal organic farms produce avocados for subsistence and local markets. Here are the steps to get organic certification in Kenya:
- Adopt organic practices, select an accredited certifying agent and submit an application and fee to the agent.
- Certifying agent reviews the application and verifies compliance with East African Organic Products Standards (EAOPS)
- Inspector conducts an on-site inspection.
- Certifying agent reviews application and inspector’s report.
- Organic certificate issued by certifying agent
Once a producer is certified organic, they can either use the EAOPS mark (Kilimo Hai logo) or the certifying body’s logo for labelling of packaged avocados.
EU Organic Standards for Avocado
Here are a number of rules set by the EU that organic avocados grown in Kenya have to meet:
- Their production has to follow the general principles of organic production
- Their production should exclude use of GMOs
- Avocados produced organically should be kept separate from non-organic ones
- Adequate record keeping during production especially use of using chemical substances in limited cases.
Importing Organic Products into the EU
All organic products including avocado imported into the European Union (EU) must have a certificate of inspection. This certificate is issued by a control body or authority approved by the EU. This control body ensures organic avocado producers follow production rules equivalent to EU organic farming.
Where to Sell Organic Kenyan Avocados
Avocados which are sold to Kenyans as organic are certified by local certification companies. Whereas international certification bodies certify Kenyan avocados that are organic to be sold abroad. In both the domestic and export markets, organic Kenyan avocados can be found in supermarkets and shops specializing in organic products in cities and high-end neighborhoods.
Exporting Organic Avocados from Kenya
Here is a top organic avocado exporter in Kenya.
Freshela Exporters
Our efforts to supply the market with organic avocados have led us to align ourselves with farmers that share the same values. With their support and our continued organic planting, we are committed to carrying the highest quality organic avocados available for the market.
No matter how big or small your organic avocado needs are, we know we can help increase your demand for organic avocados. Our packing house is certified to ensure that we accept, pack and sell avocados with an organic label. Contact us to request a copy of our Organic Production Certificate.