This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
November 23, 2019, marked a significant milestone for Samwel Karuma, a small-scale farmer from Elburgon town in Molo sub-county, Kenya. His innovative approach to farming, which involves intercropping avocados with potatoes, has not only increased his yields but also his profits.
With over 100 avocado trees on a one-and-half-acre land, Karuma's farm is a testament to the potential of small-scale farming in Kenya. He started with 120 seedlings in 2015, which he purchased at Sh150 each from a certified dealer. The initial investment of Sh3,000 on land preparation and animal manure has paid off handsomely.
According to Karuma, he chose the Hass variety of avocado due to its longer shelf-life and higher yields. The farmer, who trained in sustainable agriculture at Baraka Agricultural College in Molo, has spaced his trees 8 by 8 meters, allowing for intercropping with potatoes. This innovative approach has not only increased his yields but also provided a secondary source of income.
With the avocado lace bug being a major challenge in the region, Karuma has employed the use of fly catchers to trap the insect. His ambition is to become the leading avocado farmer in the region, and he is working towards extending his acreage under the fruit.
