Sisi Village Produce launches ambitious avocado oil processing plant in Vihiga

Months after the inauguration of the Malava Avocado Promotional Center in Kakamega, Sisi Village Produce has embarked on an ambitious venture to build a Sh300 million Avocado Oil Processing Plant.

Situated at the Kaimosi Avocado Model Farm and Nursery, this facility aims to significantly benefit avocado farmers throughout Kenya’s Lake Region bloc.

Construction is set to begin in November 2024 with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site. The initiative is designed to create a reliable market for avocado farmers from areas including Nyanza, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi, providing them with direct access to the avocado market.

The processing plant is expected to be completed within three months, with the installation of processing machinery slated for February 2025.

Subsequently, operations are set to commence with the crushing and grinding of avocado fruits in March.

Contracted construction firm, Vishva, will work alongside Industrial Engineer John Abisai to procure a processing machine from Italy, capable of handling five tons of avocado fruits per day, thereby addressing the significant local demand.

Dr. Julius Muiya, Chairman of Sisi Village Produce Board of Directors, emphasised the importance of the factory for local agriculture, remarking on the Western region’s favorable climate for avocado farming.

He urged local residents to invest in this profitable crop, highlighting its potential for providing a sustainable source of income.

Patrick Kisia, CEO of Sisi Village Produce, who is a fervent supporter of agribusiness, is dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of local farmers and establishing the region on a global agribusiness platform.

His current focus is on the construction of the Sh. 300 million avocado processing facility at his Cheptulu home in Hamisi, Vihiga County. This plant will not only extract crude oil from non-export quality Hass avocados but also process regular avocados, offering substantial financial returns for local farmers.

The success witnessed in Hass avocado farming in Central and Eastern Kenya, which generates over Sh. 5 billion annually from exports, serves as an encouraging model for the Western Region.

With the region’s favorable climate, rich soils, and vast arable lands, Kisia is optimistic that local farmers can replicate this success with adequate support and investment.

Once operational, the new processing plant will guarantee farmers in the region access to markets starting next year, either through exports facilitated by Sasini Export Limited or via processing at the Sisi Village facility in Cheptulu.

Kisia is committed to ensuring that farmers entering the Hass avocado sector have access to high-quality seedlings, standardized farming practices, and a structured support system.

Promotional initiatives are set to be rolled out at several strategic locations, including the Kaimosi Model Farm and Nursery, Kimilili Avocado Model Farm and Nursery in Bungoma, Likuyani Model Farm and Nursery in Kakamega, the Malava Avocado Promotional Centre in Kakamega, Musikoma Model Farm and Nursery in Bungoma, and the Ogalo Model Farm and Nursery.

Plans to establish additional model farms are also underway to further assist farmers in achieving optimal avocado yields.

In addition to creating domestic market prospects through the new factory, Kisia noted that Sisi Village Produce would support farmers in exporting high-quality avocados in partnership with Sasini PLC.

Winnie Ngubwa, General Manager of Sasini Avocado EPZ Limited, reinforced this partnership, highlighting their commitment to exporting top-standard produce from local growers.

Access Bank Kenya, represented by Acting Managing Director Lilian Odhiambo has expressed its commitment to supporting farmers and Sisi Village Produce through accessible credit facilities.

The bank will also provide training in financial literacy, investment strategies, and financial management to help farmers optimize their earnings from avocado farming.

Ben Chumba, the Director of Agriculture for the Vihiga County Government, announced that the county is working on developing an Agro-ecology policy to support this endeavor, positioning Vihiga County as the second in Kenya to adopt such a policy, following Murang’a County.

This partnership among farmers, local authorities, and private sector stakeholders offers a solid foundation for sustainable agricultural development, presenting exciting new prospects for the avocado industry in the Western Region.