Do you want to start farming avocados? This is the right blog for you.
Commercial Avocado Farming
Avocado (Persia americana) is a tropical fruit that belongs to the family of Lauraceae. It originated in Mexico and Central America and probably descended from more than one wild species. The avocado plant is a deciduous tree that flourishes best in subtropical and tropical areas. The fruit is also one of the most cultivated species globally.
In Kenya, farming avocados is for the local market, but varieties like Hass are intended for export. Growing Hass avocado in Kenya offers great opportunities for young people and farmers to venture because the market, both local and export, is growing day by day. Even so, the market is limited by the production capacity.
Demand forecasts for the consumption of locally and internationally-grown Hass avocado fruits in Kenya are increasing due to their unique characteristics and adherence to organic production. The avocado growing in Kenya has continued to increase since 2015 when the area was 13305 ha. This later increased to 20,000 Ha to date. Today in Kenya, an increasing number of farmers are compelled to start growing improved avocados, which will triple the production rates.
The government is leading the way in improving Hass cultivation in Kenya through organizations such as KEPHIS, and HCD. Meanwhile, local governments have also played an important role in improving the cultivation of avocados by supplying seedlings to farmers in rural areas.
Avocado’s Health Benefits
Can support cardiovascular health
Avocados are high in fat, with 60 percent being monounsaturated fats, which, according to research, helps to protect against heart disease and lower blood pressure. They are also a great source of potassium, folate, and fiber, all beneficial for the heart and cardiovascular system.
It may be helpful in lowering cholesterol
Oils obtained from avocado include oleic acid and linoleic acid. They are recommended as part of a balanced diet to help manage cholesterol.
Can help control appetite
Undoubtedly, the calorie content of avocados is superior to other fruits and vegetables. However, one interesting study indicated that the fat and fiber content of avocados leads to feelings of satiety, which helps regulate appetite.
Nutritious
Farming avocados is a source of vitamins C, E, K, and B6, along with riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium. They also contain lutin, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids.
It is ideal for vision
Avocados contain lutein and guy source, two phytochemicals present in eye tissue. They offer antioxidant protection to help minimize harm, including from ultraviolet rays.
Components have the potential to prevent cancer
Studies have not yet evaluated a direct relationship between the use of avocados and a reduction in cancer risk.
Improving digestion
Avocados are high in fiber, containing approximately 6–7 trusted sources per half fruit. Eating foods with natural fiber can help prevent constipation, keep the digestive tract healthy and decrease the risk of colon cancer.
Requirements for Growing Hass Avocado
Soils
Soils that are ideal for growing avocados should be free-draining soils with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Waterlogged soils should be avoided because they create an ideal atmosphere for fungal growth such as root rot.
Rain falls
Preferred rainfall for farming avocados should be at least 1000 mm and distributed through the growing season. Kenyan avocado farmers are encouraged to use irrigation technologies to maximize yields. Where irrigation is preferred, water should never exceed 50mm.
Temperature
Avocado varieties, like Hass, develop best between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius.
Altitude
Avocados grow best in the tropics at an altitude of 1500 to 2100 meters. Farmers should avoid planting avocados in freeze-affected areas as their tolerance to freezing is low.
Counties Where Hass Avocado Perform Well
Eldoret, Kiambu, Kisii, Meru, Nyeri, Murang’a, Machakos, Nandi, Bomet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Siaya
Propagation of Hass Avocado
After choosing the desired avocado variety to cultivate, the farmer must obtain the appropriate amount and type of reproductive material to plant. Avocados can be multiplied by planting seeds, cuttings, grafts, and diapers.
Generally, grafted seedlings are the most common propagating material used for cash crop production. Grafted seedlings offer the significant benefits of even, faster growth, and higher yields, which is why the preferred raw material for the propagation of Hass is avocado.
Planting
The best time for farming avocados is to plant your Hass avocado when the ground has warmed, preferably from March to June. Choose an area protected against the wind with great drainage and full sun.
Remove grass, weeds, or debris within a 10-foot diameter from where you are digging your hole.1. Spacing between seedlings should be from 6 to 10 meters. 2. The planting hole should be 2 feet (0.61 meters) by 2 feet (0.61 meters) deep and wide (it is advisable to be round). 3. Separate the topsoil from the subsoil. 4. set aside one debe of manure 5. When planting, mix the manure with the soil thoroughly either in the hole or before filling the hole with the mixture.
6. Add a handful of DAP fertilizer and still mix it thoroughly with the mixture of the manure and the subsoil. Add the topsoil and mix. 7. Fill the hole with the mixture and then level it with the normal ground. 8. Mark the center of the hole. 9. Take the seedling and unwrap the surrounding polythene carefully. 10. Keep the soil that holds the roots together. Drill a hole in the center and plant. Let the soil cover the seedling up to the point where the wrapping paper had reached. 11. Under dry conditions, water the plant thoroughly.
Reasons Why Hass Avocado Is More Popular Than Other Varieties
However, farming avocados like hass Avocado, is the most popular actiivity in the world, with 90% required of all avocado varieties.
Farming avocados has the longest lifespan of any variety up to 2-3 weeks from the time of harvest, making handling and shipping easy and convenient.
Hass has the highest oil content of 17% in 100 grams of fruit pulp and whose oil production is highly valued, at a local market cost of 2000 kshs per liter.
Hass avocado fruit is 75% creamy yellow and very delicious which makes it very popular with consumers mainly for smoothies, salads, and facial treatments because of its nutritional value.
Marketability & Cost Effectiveness
Additionally, one mature Hass tree produces up to 2,000 fruits per year, and the current agricultural market price offered by Kenya’s largest fruit exporter is Ksh12 per fruit. Therefore, a single Hass tree will generate in Ksh 24,000 every year. And at an acreage generates about 3.6 Million every year. The current supply in the direct export chain is $2 (200 ksh) per kg.
Fertilization
Generally, 0.5 – 0.8 kg (1 – 1.8 lbs) actual N, 0.19 kg (0.42 lbs.) P, and 0.75 kg (1.65 lbs) K per mature tree per year may be needed for a good yield. If the farmer wants to use synthetic fertilizer, he must select a product with a ratio of 1:1:1 or 2:2:1 (N: P: K). Additionally, up to 56 kg per hectare (50 lb (22.68 kg) per acre) of Zn may be required in spring or early summer to correct for nutrient deficiency.
Irrigation
Hass avocado plants need approximately 25 mm of water per week. The main roots are very shallow, so drip and micro sprayers are best suited for plants. Farmers should have sufficient water throughout the year; avocados can dry quickly without water. Irrigation water quality needs to be tested for pH because high salts, sodium, and chloride negatively affect plants.
Mulching
Dense organic mulch is good for young plants in farming avocados because it helps to reduce soil evaporation and prevent very high and low root temperatures and salinity build-up. In addition, mulch reduces weed competition.
When to Prune a Hass Avocado Tree
1. When transplanting.
At this stage, the first pruning is takes place. Trim any broken or long branch so that it can fit in the planting hole.
2. during the end of harvest and flowering.
For mature plants, pruning is usually done at this stage. Cut off excess branches to expose the plant to air and light.
3. During seedlings level.
Grafted Hass sometime produces sucker while still, at the nursery. You have to trim the suckers to avoid lateral growth.
4. During the fruiting stage.
Hass produces numerous fruits. So many fruits lead to competition for nutrients leading to small fruits. Removing some fruits helps to increase the size of the fruits.
Pests and Diseases
Phytophthora Root Rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi)
It is the most severe and widespread lawyer’s disease in the world, leading to plant death. Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soil fungus that can infect the roots of plants that end up rotting. This significantly decreases the capability of the plant to absorb nutrients and water. The most important preventive measures are the use of healthy, certified plant material and the selection of a variety grafted in a resistant to the pathogen rootstock.
Sun blotch
Sun blotch could be a serious, incurable sickness of avocado trees. Fruits are usually stained or marked, twigs can develop red or yellow discoloration or rectangular cracks can develop in the bark. Infected trees are generally inferior; however, some trees are at least symptomatic, except for a reduction in yield. After narrowing, sun blotch is hard to cure. However, by buying certified disease-free stock and active smart tool sanitation, you’ll stop sun blotch from unfolding.
Bacterial Canker
Bacterial canker is a common disease that affects avocado trees and results from the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae. The bacteria infect the tree with bark injuries, usually caused by pruning, hail, or an insect.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disorder that can occur in avocados and fruits. The fungus that causes powdery mildew, Podosphaera xanthii, infects avocado tree leaves, stems, and fruit. When avocados have powdery mildew, it can cause various symptoms, including white or greyish powdery patches.
Fruit rots
Fruit rots, caused by flora pathogens, usually occur wherever sanitation is poor and tree stressors are high. These fungi may overwinter in plant waste on the bottom around the tree, or in fruits that are left on the tree when harvesting avocados. Proper pruning and rapid fruit removal may help to stop the disease.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose is a fungal disease that occurs on the leaves, stems, and fruits of avocados. The symptoms of anthracnose vary depending on the affected plant area. In avocado leaves, anthracnose appears as small, dark, water-soaked spots that eventually enlarge and turn brown or black. The spots can coalesce, causing the leaves to yellow and drop prematurely.
In the case of avocados, anthracnosis causes small, hollow, dark brown, or black circular lesions. Lesions can expand, covering large areas of the fruit, and can also cause fruit decay. In severe cases, anthracnose may result in defoliation, stunting, and reduced fruit yield.
Pests
Mites
Mites cause similar injury as lace bugs; however, leaves may additionally combat a bronze look, and also the pests are troublesome to check with the optic. Some mites spin fine webs as they feed, just like those of spiders. Treat them with agricultural oil; pesticides will cause population explosions.
Thrips
Thrips seldom cause serious injury to trees, however, can seriously scare fruits. Un-smooth or coriaceous brown scars seem as fruits enlarge, generally stunt flying fruits. Careful pruning and fertilizing can facilitate stopping thrips, which damage the tender flushes of growth.
Scales
Scales are small, stationary, brown, greenish insects that suck sap from avocado leaves. They do not cause internal damage but may lead to the rejection of fruit, especially if grown for export.
Fruit flies
Fruit flies lay eggs under the skin of ripe, old, and young fruit. When the developing fruit grows, a lesion appears as a slight puncture mark surrounded by a white substance. As the fruit develops, the lesion becomes dry and turns into a distinct star-shaped crack on the skin’s surface. There are ways to control major pests on the farm.
The demand for avocados locally and internationally continues to grow every year. More export companies are coming into our country and are demanding more Hass avocados and yet we can’t fullfill their demand. Nonetheless, the government intervention is needed among Hass farmers in terms of proper training on cultivation methods, the introduction of clean planting materials, and proper harvesting methods to avoid a lot of wastage.
References
https://wikifarmer.com/avocado-tree-propagation-and-pollination/?amp=1
https://www.richfarmkenya.com/2021/01/how-to-get-highest-hass-avocado-yield.html?m=1 transsion&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/gardening/reviews/hass-avocado-trees
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