MyCoop training for leadership of avocado cooperatives

The FORQLAB partners work on applied research into technical interventions and governance interventions that encourage safe products and reduced food losses in dairy and avocado sectors in Kenya. This training surely counts as a governance intervention, as stronger cooperatives tend to manage quality and losses in a better way.

The mycoop training was conducted by Raymond Lyimo and Esther Kalanza, two seasoned trainers from Agriterra. Their training approach uses interactive methods and a variety of examples to ensure active participation. A major point of reflection is how to serve the members in a sustainable way. In the words of one cooperative president: “Our members asked for training in pruning and tree management. We would love to provide this service to them, but the training made us aware of the costs and the risks. Since the small farmers can’t pay themselves and NGO’s will not help forever, we better talk with the county authorities to send extension agents.”

The training also provided space to discuss a recent measure by the HCD (or AFA??) authority. Early November, it banned the sea export of avocados. One representative explained: “The export ban returns every year at the end of the season. It is a temporary measure from the government when our avocados do not meet international standards. They lift the ban again when the next avocado harvest season arrives. Meanwhile, farmers should stop picking premature fruits as it harms our export reputation.”

Participants in the training included 17 board members of the four avocado farmer cooperatives in Nandi, Mount Kenya, Mount Kenya East and Abothuguchi. They go home with smart action plans to increase membership and member shares, to negotiate extension services with county authorities. One cooperatives plans to engage with Yara in fertilizer distribution.

Also, five Meru university students participated in preparation of their exchange semester at Van Hall Larenstein in 2024. And three staff from Meru University of Science and Technology participated and also organised a visit to the university campus and to mr. Frederick NAME, a local avocado pioneer with older stands of Fuerte and Hass avocado trees.