World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Center for International Forest Research (CIFOR) in collaboration with the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have launched a project to empower avocado and mango farmers in Kenya and Rwanda on climate-smart practices to boost productivity.

The 16-month fruit trees for climate adaptation and mitigation project is aimed at helping the growers to mitigate climate change as well as changing market demands.

This is because fruit trees are retained longer on the farm creating the need for farmers to understand their contribution to climate change mitigation through estimation of carbon held in priority fruits focusing on avocadoes and mangoes, according to researchers.

“It has become critical to build the capacity of avocado and mango farmers to enable them to adjust their management practices, to overcome production- related challenges brought on by climate change, and contribute towards improved farm-level climate adaptation, household food security, and nutrition – as well as sustainable livelihoods,” said Catherine Muthuri, Kenya Country Director, and Regional Convener for East Africa at the CIFOR-ICRAF).