By Prossy Nandudu
Farmers planning to import Has avocado seedlings from neighboring Kenya should work with the department of Crop Inspection in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries for clearance.
The aim is to ensure that only clean planting materials get to the farmers. The call was made by the executive director of the National Agriculture Advisory Services (NAADs) Dr. Sam Mugasi, in an interview on Tuesday.
He was responding to concerns from farmers who were trained on Has avocado farming by experts from Kenya on Saturday in Bongole and Buwama villages on Masaka road, on the safety of imported seedlings
He also asked farmers to work with NAADs office for guidance on where to source the seedlings locally.
For long-term purposes, Mugazsi said they are working with researchers and private sector to establish certified nurseries for has avocados just as it is for coffee.
Has avocado is one the crops that government is promoting for commercial purposes. Information from NAADs shows that the deand for avocado in different parts of the country.
Potential export market includes Asia, UAE, Qatar and China as well as Europe especially Italy. There is high demand for both fresh fruits and avocado oil in Europe and China.
In Dubai, Hass fruits fetch about USD3.5 per kg, in China about USD 8 and in Europe and the USA about USD6 per kg.
