In 2021, it was time to take the next step and develop our company further. The result was a production facility for organic avocado oil directly in Kenya. Find out here about the additional opportunities this created for contract smallholder farmers and how the oil is produced.
An additional source of income through organic avocado oil
Creating agricultural value chains that involve local smallholder farmers was the goal behind our first “macadamiafans” project, founded in 2009. The new avocado oil production facility follows the same approach.
The production facility is located a few kilometres from the village of Ena in Embu County, Kenya, surrounded by the mixed farms of our contract smallholder farmers. It began operating after a three-month construction period, adding further opportunities for purchasing and processing agricultural products from the region:
- Additional income: Until then, we had mainly processed macadamia nuts from our contract smallholder farmers. However, avocados and mangoes also grow on their organic mixed farms. The additional production facilities allow families to sell these crops to LIMBUA and use another source of income.
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Several harvests: Growing different crops enables farmers to earn income during different harvesting seasons. If the harvest of one crop is lower, other products grown on the mixed farms may still be available for sale. For our organic avocado oil, we use varieties including Hass and Fuerte, which are suitable for oil production due to their oil content and processing characteristics. In addition to organic macadamia seedlings, the LIMBUA tree nursery also grows avocado seedlings. These are cared for and grafted before being distributed to participating smallholder farmers.
- New jobs: The production facility creates jobs in a range of areas. These include machine operation, food science, electrical engineering, transport, sorting and security. At the time of publication, more than 700 people worked at LIMBUA’s production facilities.
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Organic cultivation on mixed farms: The avocados grow on the organic mixed farms of contract smallholder farmers around Mount Kenya. Due to local rainfall levels, the avocados are grown without additional irrigation.
Sarah Muthaka, Abigail Birech, Caroline Kadima, Boniface Mutua (l. to r.)
- Infrastructure at the production site: Water and electricity connections were installed and access roads were developed in connection with the construction of the production facility. This infrastructure is used for operating the facility and supporting the jobs located there.
- Local employment opportunities: The production facility provides employment opportunities in different operational and technical areas, particularly for young people from the region.
- Jobs in the rural region: Jobs and additional sales opportunities for agricultural products provide local residents with ways to earn an income within the growing region.
What challenges we faced and how we overcame them
On the way from the initial idea to the first bottle of avocado oil, we encountered several challenges. For example, the avocado season was already underway when the building was completed.
In addition, there is high demand for Kenyan avocados for export. Through our existing cooperation with contract smallholder farmers, LIMBUA was able to purchase the avocados required for the planned production during the season.
After filling, we encountered another challenge. During the Covid pandemic, it was difficult to secure ships and suitable containers for transportation. By working with our logistics partners, the planned goods could nevertheless be exported. Coordination with contract smallholder farmers and other partners was an important part of production and export planning.
Fatty acids and uses: Properties of avocado oil
Avocado oil contains a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and is used both in food and as an ingredient in cosmetic formulations. It can be used in edible oils, sauces and other food applications as well as in the production of creams, lotions and other cosmetic products. Its specific properties and possible applications depend on the quality and further processing of the oil.
Conclusion: Organic avocado oil processed in Kenya
By producing organic avocado oil, LIMBUA expands the processing of agricultural products in Kenya. Purchasing the avocados directly provides participating contract smallholder farmers with an additional sales opportunity for harvests from their organic mixed farms.
