These pictures tell a painful story many avocado farmers are facing today. You have invested years growing the trees, only for thieves to harvest the fruits before you can enjoy the premium prices.
For me, this is no longer just a theft issue—it is a threat to the avocado industry.
This week I made a difficult decision. I have started releasing some of my avocado fruits earlier than planned.
Normally, I prefer selling from August when prices are better and fruits are more mature. However, increasing avocado theft in our region has made it difficult to wait. Despite reporting several cases to the relevant authorities, little action has been taken, and farmers continue to count losses.
The sad part is that thieves harvest indiscriminately. They don't care about maturity, quality, market standards, or the future of the tree. They only care about quick money, leaving genuine farmers carrying the losses.
As farmers, we are forced to choose between:
❌ Waiting for better prices and risking theft.
✅ Harvesting early and protecting what we have worked for.
I know I am not alone in this challenge.
How are you dealing with avocado theft in your area?
Are you harvesting earlier than usual?
Have you organized community surveillance?
Are local authorities helping?
What solutions have worked for you?
Let's share ideas and experiences because if we don't protect our orchards, we risk discouraging many farmers from investing in avocado production.

COMPLETE GUIDE TO ONION PRODUCTION | #onion

Onions Management practice | #onions

ONIONS FARMING
Growing bulb onions involves several key steps to ensure a successful harvest. Here's a detailed guide:
Choosing the Right Onion Variety:
Long-day onions: Best for northern regions with long daylight hours in summer.
Short-day onions: Ideal for southern regions with shorter daylight periods in winter.
Intermediate-day onions: Suitable for areas with moderate daylight hours.
Preparing the Soil:
Location: Choose a site with full sun exposure.
Soil: Onions thrive in well-draining, loose, and fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Amendments: Incorporate organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve soil fertility and texture.
Planting Time:
Seeds: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost date, or sow directly in the garden in early spring.
Transplants: Plant in early spring, once the soil can be worked.
Sets: Plant small onion bulbs (sets) directly in the garden in early spring.
Planting:
Spacing: Space seeds or transplants about 1 inch apart, in rows 12-18 inches apart. Thin to 4-6 inches apart once seedlings are established.
Depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep. Transplants and sets should be planted so the top is just below the soil surface.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Reduce watering as the bulbs mature to prevent rotting.
Fertilizing:
Use a balanced fertilizer at planting time.
Apply Super gro every two weeks until the bulbs start to form.Ratio 2mls to 1 litres of water .
32mls to 16 litres of water
Mulching:
Apply a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Weeding:
Keep the area around onions weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Pest and Disease Management:
Watch for common pests like onion maggots, thrips, and aphids.
Practice crop rotation and avoid planting onions in the same spot each year to minimize disease risks like onion rot and milde

HERBS TO USE AS ORGANIC PESTICIDES ON YOUR CROPS | #organicpesticides