This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
Avocado harvesting season is upon us, and farmers are busy tending to their trees. However, the traditional methods of harvesting avocados can lead to higher post-harvest losses.
According to an agricultural extension officer, Bernard Kinoti, farmers often employ methods such as shaking trees for the fruits to fall, using a pole with a Y-shaped head that cuts the stalk for the avocado to fall on the ground, and climbing the tree with a sack to harvest.
These methods may be popular among farmers, but they cause damage to both the trees and the fruits, resulting in waste and lower market value.
Farmer Moses Murithi, who has 95 avocado trees in Tharaka Nithi County, knows the pain of these practices. 'I have lost tens of fruits once the harvesting is done. Despite shaking the trees for the fruits to fall, brokers never buy the damaged produce. They leave the fruits on the ground,' he says.
However, there is a better way to harvest avocados. One of the simplest and most efficient methods is through the use of a pole picker, which can be purchased or improvised on the farm.
The pole picker consists of a long, light wooden or metal frame on which a basket with a smooth inside is attached at the top. The gadget has a sharp cutter, which helps detach the fruit from the tree.
According to Kinoti, a well-made pole picker should be light yet long and strong enough to harvest more fruits and at different heights. It should also be manoeuvrable to provide precision harvesting and reach heights that would otherwise require a ladder.
Using the pole picker, fruits are harvested in a professional manner, with stalks cut some 10mm to 15mm from the fruits as required. The fruits are then netted into the basket where they are cushioned from any bruising or damage.
Once harvested, produce must be placed in a shade to avoid exposure from direct sunlight, which would accelerate ripening, thus shortening the shelf-life of the fruit.
Avocado farmer Gideon Gitonga, who uses a pole picker, says only mature fruits should be harvested. 'Using a pole picker, one harvests only mature fruits at any height of the tree without having to damage it,' he explains.
Gitonga has been able to minimize post-harvest losses from 60 per cent to 5 per cent. 'The fruits do not get mechanical damage, which boosts their market value. It is not a very quick method, but one is sure they end up with quality produce,' he says.
The pole picker can also be used to pick mangoes, apples, lemons, lime, and coconut, among other fruits.
For those who want to make their own pole picker, here are the steps:
- Use a strong pole that is not heavy.
- Attach a spring to hold the cutter on one end of the pole.
- Position the cutter on the left-hand side.
- Attach a basket with a metallic groove next to the cutter.
- Once the fruit is cut, it falls right into the basket.
- The basket should be made in such a way that it is soft inside to ensure that the fruits don’t knock over each other and get damaged or scratched.
