
The Avocado Farming course provides farmers, extension officers, and agripreneurs with practical knowledge and skills for establishing and managing profitable avocado enterprises in Kenya. Developed by KALRO experts, this course combines scientific research with hands-on demonstrations to promote sustainable production, quality improvement, and market competitiveness of avocado value chains.
Learners will gain insights into the entire avocado production cycle — from site selection and seedling propagation to harvesting, post-harvest handling, and marketing. The course highlights key varieties grown in Kenya such as Hass, Fuerte, and Puebla, and offers guidance on soil and water management, pest and disease control, and climate-smart practices for maintaining high fruit quality and yield.
Through step-by-step training videos, participants will learn how to:
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Select suitable avocado varieties based on agro-ecological zones.
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Prepare land and establish an orchard with proper spacing and grafting techniques.
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Manage nutrition, irrigation, and pruning for optimal tree health.
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Identify and control common pests and diseases such as fruit flies, thrips, and root rot.
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Harvest at the correct maturity and handle fruits to preserve dry matter content and export quality.
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Access domestic and export markets while meeting quality and traceability standards.
By the end of this course, farmers will be equipped with practical skills to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance incomes through sustainable avocado production systems aligned with KALRO’s validated Technologies, Innovations, and Management Practices (TIMPs).