anita.nkirote@hortinews.co.ke
BANJUL, THE GAMBIA
The high cost of avocados in The Gambia is creating a unique opportunity for farmers, with Kenyan Hass avocado seedlings emerging as a potential solution to improve local production and reduce dependence on limited supplies.
Agripreneur and village-based investor Ken the Farmer recently highlighted the challenge after visiting a local market where a single avocado was selling for 100 Dalasi (approximately KES 175 or USD 1.5). According to him, prices had been even higher just days earlier, with some fruits retailing at 200 Dalasi (about KES 350) each.
“Imagine spending that much on a single avocado,” he remarked, describing the experience that inspired him to introduce grafted Kenyan Hass avocado seedlings to the West African nation.
The grafted seedlings are expected to begin producing quality fruits in about three years, offering farmers a long-term investment with multiple income streams. Unlike many traditional avocado varieties, Kenyan Hass is highly valued for both fresh consumption and industrial processing.
The variety is widely recognized in international markets because of its high oil content, making it suitable for avocado oil extraction while also attracting strong demand from exporters.
For Gambian farmers, this presents an opportunity to tap into a growing global avocado industry while meeting rising domestic demand. Increased local production could help stabilize prices for consumers and improve household nutrition, as avocados are rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
The initiative also reflects the increasing movement of agricultural technologies and improved planting materials across Africa, where successful crop varieties are being adapted to new environments to strengthen food security and create agribusiness opportunities.
Ken the Farmer says his vision goes beyond commercial farming.
“My dream is simple: a future where avocados are affordable enough for every family to enjoy regularly, while farmers earn a decent income from growing them,” he said.
As demand for avocados continues to grow across local and international markets, the introduction of Kenyan Hass seedlings in The Gambia could mark the beginning of a new value chain for farmers looking to diversify their production and increase farm incomes.
For farmers and investors interested in Hass avocado production in The Gambia reach out to Ken