Abel Ndiga Kararel cannot see his orchard. He cannot watch the trees grow, or spot the moment the fruit is ready to pick. Yet every harvest season, his 464 Hass avocado trees on a 2.8-hectare plot in Kiamurunga village, Kirinyaga Central, deliver returns that most sighted farmers only dream about.
The 71-year-old earns a gross annual revenue of over KSh 1.12 million from avocados alone, at a farm-gate price of KSh 80 per kilogram on roughly 14 tonnes of fruit per year.
Kararel switched from dairy farming
Kararel was not always an avocado farmer. He initially kept dairy cattle, but the demands of dairy farming became increasingly difficult to manage after he lost his sight.
Dairy farming required regular attention, labour and time, prompting him to consider an agricultural enterprise that would require less manpower while still providing an income.
He eventually settled on Hass avocado farming. In 2016, Kararel planted his first 30 Hass avocado trees after sourcing seedlings from Nyeri.
The initial orchard was modest, but he gradually expanded it until he had 464 trees.
How he learnt avocado farming
Kararel’s inability to see did not prevent him from learning how to manage his orchard.
He sought training from agrochemical companies and worked with agricultural extension officers to understand avocado production.
Over time, he learnt how to care for the trees and improve production despite his blindness.
“You get paid on the farm. It requires less time and manpower and can be practised by anyone as long as you have the best tree.”
His experience has also allowed him to mentor other farmers in Kirinyaga.
Employs and mentors other farmers
Kararel’s enterprise has also created opportunities for other people. He employs workers to assist with activities on the farm and shares his experience with other farmers in the area. His journey therefore extends beyond his own income.
For farmers who have watched him build a productive orchard despite losing his sight, his farm offers a practical example of how persistence can change a person’s circumstances.
Despite his success, the farmer says avocado growers still face challenges. Among the concerns he has highlighted are counterfeit farm chemicals and inadequate knowledge of avocado production.
Kenya’s avocado opportunity
He has called for stronger agricultural extension services to help farmers improve their practices and produce fruit that meets the requirements of export markets.
For Kararel, training has been an important part of his own journey.
Kenyan avocado farmers have increasingly looked towards both domestic and international markets, with exporters targeting destinations in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
For small-scale farmers, access to reliable markets, quality seedlings, proper agronomic practices and post-harvest handling can determine whether an orchard becomes a viable business.
