Kenya’s National Horticulture Task force (NHT) has launched Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) guidelines for avocados, beans and peas in pods. The guidelines will go a long way in addressing the challenges farmers face in relating to the commercial quality and the regulatory requirements as well as enhance opportunities in the horticulture sub sector.
National Horticulture Taskforce Chairman, Clement Tulezi: “The Good Agricultural Practice Guides have been developed by the stakeholders to address the challenges relating to the commercial quality and the regulatory requirements for beans, peas and avocado.”
These challenges, he added include compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary requirements such as presence of harmful organisms and maximum residue limits for pesticides, use of quality and true to type planting materials and adoption of good hygiene practices.
Farmers urged to plant more avocado trees also
Farmers have also been urged to plant more avocado trees, to help the government reach its target of doubling exports in five years. Stakeholders said demand for avocados has continued to grow since China opened its market to Kenya last June but local production remains low.
The government aims to export Sh30 billion worth of avocados in five years, up from Sh15 billion.
[ Sh100 = €0.66 ]
Source: kenyanews.go.ke