This archive report was first published on 21 December 2021.
Kenya's agribusiness sector has received a boost with Kakuzi Plc's Sh. 31 million Christmas bonus to smallholder avocado farmers in Murang'a County.
Published on December 21, 2021, the move aims to provide capital for increased avocado produce, benefiting hundreds of smallholder farmers.
The farmers, part of Kakuzi's 3,500-strong smallholder programme, have begun receiving the cash payout to continue planting Hass avocados.
According to Kakuzi Managing Director Chris Flowers, the Hass variety was chosen for its popularity and ability to attract reasonable prices in the international market.
Flowers noted that the cash payout would motivate farmers to accelerate production, allowing them to benefit from the risks and rewards of the international markets.
"Ahead of the Christmas festivities, Kakuzi confirms that we have commenced bonus payments to our avocado smallholder farmers. The total Payment to smallholders and out-growers this season is Sh.31.4 million, and this represents 87 percent of net returns," Flowers said.
Through its smallholder programme, Kakuzi provides access to best practices, ensures small-scale growers get full value for their produce, and manages traceability.
"Kakuzi has a large international market and wants smallholder farmers to access it. Therefore, we have up scaled the operations of our smallholder avocado farmers' programme while boosting the global positioning of Kenyan avocados," Flowers added.
