Pass law to curb fruit theft and brokers, avocado farmers tell state

Stakeholders in the avocado sector in Murang’a county have called for the enactment of a law to weed out brokers and curb the rampant theft of the produce.

Key players in the sector spoke during a consultative forum at Kenol town on Monday.

They want the local county assembly to come up with an avocado law to protect farmers from unscrupulous dealers and promote best practices, standards, transportation, storage, processing and marketing.

The stakeholders said the law should also stipulate stiffer penalties for those found transporting or buying avocados without clear information.

During the forum, assembly speaker Nduati Kariuki confirmed that there is a proposed County Avocado Bill, 2022, which is expected to undergo a third reading.

According to Kariuki when the bill becomes law, it will protect farmers from theft of their avocado and unscrupulous dealers.

“Initially it was not possible to protect a farmer but with this bill, the grower will be safe as the traceability system will track the history of the produce from production to the consumer," Kariuki said.

"Additionally, any person who steals avocados from the growers or collection centres and sells will be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both."

Consequently, through the Bill, quality assurance will be maintained which translates into better returns for farmers.

Any person who harvests avocado before it matures will be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh100,000 or imprisonment for a period of up to six months or both.

The chairperson of the Murang’a Avocado Cooperative Union Mr John Mwaniki lauded the county assembly for the bill.

Mwaniki said having a database for all the growers and key players in the sector would ensure the exportation of the best fruits.

“With a database in place, then we will know where the theft happened and address the issue to maintain high standards,” he said.

The bill proposes that all growers register with an approved cooperative for the enhancement of economies of scale and market accessibility.

An officer from Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service Ms Nyathogoe Ngathi said the Bill will make work easy for them as they have been receiving low-quality avocados contrary to what the consumer in Europe need.

“Kephis does not make the rules on export but the market that is why we train our dealers and farmers on standards for best produce that will not be rejected,” she said.

“This bill will make our work easier since it advocates for best management, growing and handling of the avocado produce.”

The bill further proposes the establishment of an Avocado Promotion Unit under the Department of Agriculture that will maintain a database and collaborate with the government, international and county agencies to market avocado.

Avocado farmers will benefit from extension and sensitisation programmes organised by the promotion unit that will be established once the Bill is passed into a law.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)