By Bisola Adeyemo
A total of 1,050 Hass avocado seedlings have been distributed to farmers in Gucha sub-county in Kenya.
The County government of Kisii made the donation on Monday to Boochi, Machoge Basi and Sengera Bosoti wards that are in Gucha sub-county with each ward receiving 350.
Kenya news agency reports that this was done to boost farm produce, food security and value addition.
The Hass avocado is a cultivar of avocado with dark green–colored, bumpy skin. It was first grown and sold by Southern California mail carrier and amateur horticulturist Rudolph Hass, who also gave it his name. The Hass avocado is a large-sized fruit weighing 200 to 300 grams.
Agricultural Officer Kibagendi Josephat, said the trees thrives in well suited warm climates and they cannot tolerate extremely cold temperatures.
Kibagendi says the difference between the Hass avocado and other varieties is it significantly less fats, great tastes and has less calories. The Hass variety is also known for self-pollinating.
He said future plans to construct avocado processing plant in the county required availability of raw materials.
While teaching farmers how to plant Hass avocados, they warned not to plant the trees too deep as avocado trees have shallow roots. They were also urged to plant them 8 to 9 metres apart.
“Take the seedling out of its container and place it gently into the hole, back fill the hole and tamp down the soil gently then add a little dry manure. Wait for one and half years to harvest,” said Kibagendi.
