In a major boost for local agriculture, the State Department for Crops and Agricultural Development on Friday distributed 15,000 Hass avocado seedlings to farmers in Gucha Sub-County.
The seedlings were handed out through the local administration, with chiefs tasked to distribute them to farmers in their jurisdictions.
The event took place at the Gucha County Commissioner’s office, where Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Julius Rono led the ceremony and urged the chiefs to work closely with farmers to ensure equitable seedling distribution.
Farmers who received the seedlings expressed their gratitude, saying the initiative would go a long way towards improving both their food security and household income.
Rono urged the farmers to use the ongoing rainy season to plant as many fruit and native tree species as possible.
Agriculture officials gave technical advice on how to plant the Hass trees for optimal results including the correct spacing and site preparation.
Hass avocado is a globally popular cultivar, prized for its rich flavour, high yield, and export potential.
This effort aligns with the wider national and county government’s goals to promote high-value crops like Hass avocado, which has increasingly become a cash crop for smallholder farmers.
By Misheba Alfred
