Tutorials & Help Centre
Learn every tool on this platform, step by step, in simple words and pictures.
How this platform works — in pictures
- Add your orchard: where it is, how big it is, and which avocado variety you grow.
- The platform checks the weather and season for your county every day.
- It tells you what to do today: water, spray, prune, or get ready to harvest.
- If a tree looks sick, take a photo. The scanner tells you what the problem is and how to fix it.
- When you harvest, the money tools show your income, your costs and your profit in shillings.
- Market Intelligence shows prices and buyers so you sell at the best price.
Picture guide
A well-managed avocado orchard
Healthy orchards share the same signs: even tree spacing, open canopies that let light and air through, clean tree bases and mulch over the root zone. Compare your own block to this and you can see what needs work.
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
Where the water must reach
Avocado feeder roots sit in the top 30–60 cm of soil, spread out under the edge of the leaves. Place the drippers there, not against the trunk. Watering the trunk keeps the bark wet, invites root rot and leaves the real roots dry.
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
Should I pick today?
Use this simple decision path before you send pickers into the orchard: test dry matter first. If it is below 23%, wait about two weeks and test again. If it is 23% or more, start picking and always leave a short stalk on the fruit so rot cannot enter.
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
From trees to profit, step by step
Your money starts with the trees. The trees give kilograms, the kilograms are graded, each grade has its own price, the prices give income, the season's bills are taken away, and what is left is your profit. Every calculator on this page works on one of these steps.
Getting Started
- Click Get started from any page.
- Fill in your name, email, country and preferred language, then set a password (min. 6 characters).
- You'll land straight in the Kenya Avocado Ecosystem Hub — your 3-day free trial is active immediately, no card required.
- Open My Profile and complete your town, role and farming interests so every Smart tool tailors advice to you.
Step-by-step Tutorials
17 toolsIn simple words:Your professional Kenyan avocado agronomist — varieties and rootstocks, soils and nutrition, irrigation, pruning, pests and diseases, harvest maturity, post-harvest handling, export compliance and markets.
Purpose: Your professional Kenyan avocado agronomist — varieties and rootstocks, soils and nutrition, irrigation, pruning, pests and diseases, harvest maturity, post-harvest handling, export compliance and markets.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
Should I pick today?
Use this simple decision path before you send pickers into the orchard: test dry matter first. If it is below 23%, wait about two weeks and test again. If it is 23% or more, start picking and always leave a short stalk on the fruit so rot cannot enter.
Step-by-step
- Open the Kenya Avocado Smart Agronomist from the sidebar.
- Pick one of the suggested questions, or type your own into the box at the bottom.
- Press Enter (or click Send). A structured professional report is prepared for you.
- Read the report — Introduction, Situation Analysis, Causes, Risks, Step-by-Step Recommendations, Preventive Measures, Best Practices, a Practical Example, Key Takeaways and Related Resources.
- Ask follow-up questions in the same conversation — the advisor remembers recent context and stays tailored to your profile.
Examples
- How should I prepare my land before planting Hass seedlings this season?
- My avocado leaves are yellowing with brown tips — what could be wrong?
- How do I calculate fertiliser rates for my orchard from a leaf analysis?
- What are the KEPHIS and EU requirements for exporting Hass from Kenya?
- Give me a step-by-step feeding programme for 4-year-old Hass trees.
Tips
- The more specific your question (crop, area, growth stage, symptoms, goal), the sharper the report.
- Complete your My Profile first — every reply is tailored to your country, region, role, farming interests and preferred language.
Troubleshooting
- If you see 'temporarily unavailable', wait a few seconds and resend — the platform will auto-switch to a healthy provider.
- If a report feels too generic, add one sentence of context (variety, planting date, plot size, symptom timeline) and ask again.
In simple words:Your profile is the context the entire platform uses to tailor advice. The more complete it is, the more relevant every Smart tool becomes.
Purpose: Your profile is the context the entire platform uses to tailor advice. The more complete it is, the more relevant every Smart tool becomes.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
The main Kenyan varieties side by side
Hass turns dark when ripe and earns the best export price. Fuerte stays green and sells locally or for oil. Pinkerton matures early with a small seed. Zutano is mostly planted as a pollinator, because its flowers open at the opposite time to Hass and improve fruit set.
Step-by-step
- Open My Profile from the sidebar (bottom).
- Fill in first name, surname, Country, Town / City / Region and your Role (farmer, extension officer, student, agronomist, agribusiness owner, etc.).
- Add your Main farming interests — e.g. Hass for export, Fuerte for local sale, seedling nursery. Smart tools use these to focus their examples.
- Choose your Preferred language. Every generated report, scanner analysis and Smart Agronomist reply will be written in that language.
- Under Farm location, click 'Use my current location' so the Weather & Irrigation tool can give precise local forecasts.
- Click Save profile. Changes take effect immediately across the platform.
Examples
- A Kenyan extension officer in Murang'a with interests 'Hass for export' will get answers that reference local rainfall patterns, KES pricing, AFA and KEPHIS requirements and Murang'a-appropriate rootstocks.
Tips
- Update your interests seasonally.
- Add every avocado variety and market you work with — export, local and processing.
- Keep the town field specific — village or ward level is fine.
Troubleshooting
- If location detection is blocked, allow location access in your browser settings and reload — or set a nearby town manually in the Weather page.
In simple words:See the overall health of your avocado orchards and act on the concerns that matter most.
Purpose: See the overall health of your avocado orchards and act on the concerns that matter most.
Picture that explains this
A well-managed avocado orchard
Healthy orchards share the same signs: even tree spacing, open canopies that let light and air through, clean tree bases and mulch over the root zone. Compare your own block to this and you can see what needs work.
Step-by-step
- Open Orchard Health Centre from the sidebar.
- Check the health status card for each orchard and block.
- Open Assess to describe what you are seeing, or use the Avocado Scanner for a photo diagnosis.
- Work through the recommended actions — they become tasks in Orchard Manager.
In simple words:Know the trend, the fair price and the right buyer before you sell.
Purpose: Know the trend, the fair price and the right buyer before you sell.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
How avocado prices move through the year
Prices are highest when few farmers have fruit and lowest when everyone harvests at the same time. Knowing this pattern helps you decide whether to pick early, hold fruit on the tree a little longer, or agree a price with a buyer before the peak.
Step-by-step
- Open Market Intelligence from the sidebar.
- Type the product you plan to sell and click Analyse market.
- Read the trend, fair price range and sell-or-hold decision cards first.
- Check the buyer categories, then follow the next actions list.
Tips
- Always verify the price range at your nearest market — figures are indicative guidance, not a quotation.
In simple words:A searchable diary of everything that happens on your farm — activities, treatments, weather notes, observations and photos.
Purpose: A searchable diary of everything that happens on your farm — activities, treatments, weather notes, observations and photos.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
What the weather does to your orchard
Weather only matters when you know what it does to the tree and what to do about it. Heavy rain drowns roots, hot dry days pull water out of the tree faster than the roots can replace it, and strong wind rubs and drops fruit. Each row shows the action that protects your crop.
Step-by-step
- Open Farm Journal and click New entry.
- Pick a category (note, treatment, activity, weather), add a title and body.
- Attach a photo if useful — before/after treatment shots are especially valuable.
- Use the search box and category filter at the top to find past entries fast.
- Your most recent entry appears on the Dashboard for quick reference.
Tips
- Write short entries often — a two-line note today is worth more than a long entry you never write.
- Tag the crop or animal in the title so search finds it later.
In simple words:Five practical calculators for planning and reviewing a crop cycle — harvest, yield, profit, seed rate and unit conversion.
Purpose: Five practical calculators for planning and reviewing a crop cycle — harvest, yield, profit, seed rate and unit conversion.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
How profit is worked out
Profit is simply the money left after you pay for everything. Example: 100 crates sold at KES 2,000 each = KES 200,000 money in. Total farm costs = KES 120,000 money out. KES 200,000 − KES 120,000 = KES 80,000 profit.
Step-by-step
- Open Harvest & Profit tools.
- Pick a tab — Harvest, Yield, Profit, Seed rate or Unit converter.
- Enter your numbers (area, yield, price, costs). Results update as you type.
- Copy the result into your Farm Journal so you can compare across seasons.
Examples
- Harvest = yield × area (e.g. 4 t/ha × 2 ha = 8 t).
- Profit = revenue − input costs (seed, fertiliser, labour, transport).
- Seed rate = plants per hectare × seed weight ÷ germination %.
Tips
- Enter realistic yields, not best-case — this is a planning tool, not a marketing brochure.
In simple words:Curated reference guides for crops, diseases, pests, organic farming, soil and seasonal advice — plus training videos and FAQs.
Purpose: Curated reference guides for crops, diseases, pests, organic farming, soil and seasonal advice — plus training videos and FAQs.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
Healthy leaf, early spots, advanced damage
Fungal disease starts as a few small dark spots on an otherwise green leaf. Left alone, the spots join up and the leaf dies, and the same fungus then attacks the fruit. Treating at the early stage works; treating at the advanced stage rarely saves the crop.
Step-by-step
- Open Learning Centre and pick a tab (Crops, Diseases, Pests, Organic, Soil, Seasonal, Videos, FAQs).
- Use the search box inside a tab to jump straight to a topic.
- Click Download on any guide list to save it as a text file for offline reading.
- For any topic not covered, ask the Smart Agronomist — it will generate a full report tailored to your profile.
Tips
- Download the Seasonal guides at the start of each season and keep them on your phone.
In simple words:Identify avocado pests, diseases and nutrient disorders from a photo, then get a professional agronomy report you can act on.
Purpose: Identify avocado pests, diseases and nutrient disorders from a photo, then get a professional agronomy report you can act on.
Picture that explains this
Feeding the soil, not just the tree
Avocado roots only take up food that is dissolved in moist soil at the right acidity (pH 5.5–6.5). Compost and mulch keep the soil soft and damp so the fertiliser you buy actually reaches the roots instead of being locked up or washed away.
Step-by-step
- Open the Avocado Scanner from the sidebar.
- Choose Upload, Camera or drag-and-drop a clear, well-lit photo of the affected avocado leaf, fruit, trunk or seedling.
- Wait a few seconds — the scanner reads the image and checks for avocado pests, diseases and nutrient disorders, with a confidence score.
- Scroll to 'Ask about this image' and pick a suggested question (treatment, organic options, fertiliser, prevention) — or type your own.
- Read the structured report (Diagnosis, Severity, Immediate Actions, Treatment, Prevention). Every scan is saved in your history and feeds the Orchard Health Centre.
Tips
- Photograph a single leaf or fruit against a plain background for the highest confidence score.
- Take two photos from different angles (close-up damage and the whole tree) and scan the clearer one.
Troubleshooting
- Low confidence or no match: retake in daylight, focused on one leaf or fruit, no clutter.
- Upload fails: check your connection and that the file is under 10 MB (JPG/PNG).
In simple words:Local weather with practical farming overlays — spraying windows, heat and frost warnings, and an FAO ET₀ irrigation recommendation.
Purpose: Local weather with practical farming overlays — spraying windows, heat and frost warnings, and an FAO ET₀ irrigation recommendation.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
What the weather does to your orchard
Weather only matters when you know what it does to the tree and what to do about it. Heavy rain drowns roots, hot dry days pull water out of the tree faster than the roots can replace it, and strong wind rubs and drops fruit. Each row shows the action that protects your crop.
Step-by-step
- Open Weather & Irrigation. Use 'Use my location' or search a town/city.
- Review Current conditions (temperature, humidity, wind) and the 7-day forecast.
- Check Spraying conditions before any treatment — the card flags high wind, rain wash-off risk and heat stress.
- Read the Irrigation recommendation — it compares expected rainfall with crop water demand and tells you when to water.
- Look above the forecast for Heat stress and Frost warnings when conditions warrant.
Tips
- The provider badge shows which live weather source is active — the platform auto-fails over between three providers so you always get data.
- Save your location in My Profile to skip the search step every visit.
Troubleshooting
- Location blocked: search for your town by name instead, or allow location in your browser settings and reload.
In simple words:One timeline for every planting, harvest and farm task. Planting/harvest events are created automatically from My Crops; custom events (fertilising, spraying, pruning, irrigation) you add yourself.
Purpose: One timeline for every planting, harvest and farm task. Planting/harvest events are created automatically from My Crops; custom events (fertilising, spraying, pruning, irrigation) you add yourself.
Picture that explains this
A well-managed avocado orchard
Healthy orchards share the same signs: even tree spacing, open canopies that let light and air through, clean tree bases and mulch over the root zone. Compare your own block to this and you can see what needs work.
Step-by-step
- Add crops in My Crops — planting and expected harvest dates create automatic events.
- Open Crop Calendar to see everything in one timeline (Upcoming and Past).
- Click Add event to schedule any custom task — optionally link it to a crop.
- Click Export iCal to load the calendar into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook.
- Upcoming events also appear on your Dashboard as reminders.
Tips
- Give events short, action-oriented titles ('Top-dress N — Hass Block A').
- Re-export the iCal after big changes so your phone calendar stays in sync.
In simple words:The Hub is the front door of the platform — a curated global reference portal covering market intelligence, exports, soil, post-harvest, fertiliser, business and more, with one-click jumps into the tools you need next.
Purpose: The Hub is the front door of the platform — a curated global reference portal covering market intelligence, exports, soil, post-harvest, fertiliser, business and more, with one-click jumps into the tools you need next.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
Where to feed the tree
Avocado feeder roots are shallow and sit under the outer edge of the leaves — the drip line. Spread mulch and fertiliser in that ring, in small amounts several times a year, and keep a hand's width bare around the trunk so the bark stays dry.
Step-by-step
- Open Farming Knowledge Hub from the sidebar (top).
- Scan the section index at the top and click any section to expand it — each contains simple explanations, comparison tables and callouts.
- Use the quick links inside a section to jump straight to the matching tool (Scanner, Weather, Calendar, Journal, Agronomist).
- Bookmark the Hub — it's the fastest place to start a farming decision.
Tips
- Complete your profile first so the Hub can highlight guidance relevant to your country and interests.
- Read one section per day — the content is designed as a working reference, not a one-off read.
In simple words:The Dashboard shows a live snapshot of everything that matters today — current weather, your next farming activity, the newest plant scan and the latest journal entry.
Purpose: The Dashboard shows a live snapshot of everything that matters today — current weather, your next farming activity, the newest plant scan and the latest journal entry.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
What the weather does to your orchard
Weather only matters when you know what it does to the tree and what to do about it. Heavy rain drowns roots, hot dry days pull water out of the tree faster than the roots can replace it, and strong wind rubs and drops fruit. Each row shows the action that protects your crop.
Step-by-step
- Open Dashboard from the sidebar.
- Check the weather card for today's conditions and any heat or frost alerts.
- Look at 'Next farming activity' — it's pulled from your Crop Calendar. Click it to jump into the event.
- Review the most recent scan and journal entry cards, then jump into either module to add a new one.
Tips
- Add events in the Crop Calendar to fill the 'Next activity' card.
- Add your farm location in My Profile so the weather card is precise to your area.
In simple words:Track every orchard and block — variety, rootstock, tree count, planting date and expected harvest. Dates automatically feed the Crop Calendar as reminders.
Purpose: Track every orchard and block — variety, rootstock, tree count, planting date and expected harvest. Dates automatically feed the Crop Calendar as reminders.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
The main Kenyan varieties side by side
Hass turns dark when ripe and earns the best export price. Fuerte stays green and sells locally or for oil. Pinkerton matures early with a small seed. Zutano is mostly planted as a pollinator, because its flowers open at the opposite time to Hass and improve fruit set.
Step-by-step
- Open Orchard Manager from the sidebar.
- Click Add orchard, enter the orchard name, variety (Hass, Fuerte, Pinkerton), area, tree count, planting date and expected harvest window.
- Add optional notes — e.g. nursery source, rootstock, spacing, target market.
- Save. Planting and harvest events appear automatically in your Crop Calendar.
- Edit, archive or delete any orchard or block at any time — changes sync to the calendar instantly.
Tips
- Keep block names specific ('Block A — Hass, 2019' rather than just 'Block A') so calendar events are easy to identify.
- Set expected harvest even if it's an estimate — you can update it later.
In simple words:Turns your avocado product details into a professional selling plan: how ready you are to sell, the best time to sell, which buyer types to approach, and how to package, store, transport and add value to earn more.
Purpose: Turns your avocado product details into a professional selling plan: how ready you are to sell, the best time to sell, which buyer types to approach, and how to package, store, transport and add value to earn more.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
Fruit sizes and what they earn
Buyers pay by count — the number of fruits that fill an export box. Fewer, bigger fruits (count 12–16) earn the highest price. Small or damaged fruit still sells locally or for oil, so sort it separately instead of mixing it into an export box and losing the whole box.
Step-by-step
- Open Selling Advisor from the sidebar.
- Say whether you are planning to sell, then choose the avocado product type — export fruit, local market fruit, seedlings or oil/processing.
- Enter the product name, variety or breed, quantity, farm size and quality grade.
- Pick your current production stage, expected harvest or sale date, and preferred selling method.
- Press 'Generate selling report' and read the summary cards at the top for your readiness status.
- Work through the Personalised Selling Checklist and Practical Next Steps in the report.
- Use the 'Recommended next action' buttons to continue with the Smart Agronomist on quality, price, export or buyers.
Examples
- Export fruit · Hass · 12 tonnes · Grade 1 · Ready to harvest · Exporter contract.
- Local market fruit · Fuerte · 4 tonnes · Grade 2 · Market ready · Broker.
Tips
- Fill in your country and town on My Profile first — prices, buyer types and units are matched to your location.
- Generate a plan before harvest, not after: most of the profit advice depends on timing.
- Every plan is saved, so you can compare seasons and reuse the details next time.
Troubleshooting
- Report not appearing? Check your internet connection and try again — your details stay in the form.
- Prices look unfamiliar? Set the correct country on My Profile so amounts are shown in your local currency.
In simple words:Acts as your farm business consultant: it guides you through simple questions and produces professional business plans, profitability comparisons, budgets, funding readiness checks, export assessments and ready-to-send business documents in your own currency.
Purpose: Acts as your farm business consultant: it guides you through simple questions and produces professional business plans, profitability comparisons, budgets, funding readiness checks, export assessments and ready-to-send business documents in your own currency.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
How avocado prices move through the year
Prices are highest when few farmers have fruit and lowest when everyone harvests at the same time. Knowing this pattern helps you decide whether to pick early, hold fruit on the tree a little longer, or agree a price with a buyer before the peak.
Step-by-step
- Open Agribusiness Centre from the sidebar and choose a tab.
- Answer the guided questions step by step — skip anything you do not know and a sensible assumption is made for you.
- Press 'Generate professional report' and read the Quick Summary card first.
- Use the Cost of Production tab to enter your real input costs and see your cost per hectare, per animal and per kilogram.
- Note the minimum selling price shown — never sell below it.
- In the Documents tab, create quotations, invoices, buyer proposals, supply letters and business letters, then copy or download them.
Examples
- Profitability: compare Hass export, local-market fruit and avocado oil on 1 hectare.
- Cost of production: seed 2 500, fertiliser 6 000, labour 9 000, 5 000 kg expected harvest.
- Funding: 60 000 needed for drip irrigation, 10 000 own contribution.
Tips
- Complete your country and town on My Profile so all figures use your local currency and units.
- Record your sales in Marketing & Sales — the business plans and funding reports use them as evidence.
- Every report is saved, so you can reopen last season's plan and compare.
Troubleshooting
- Numbers look unrealistic? Add more detail in the questions — the report follows the figures you give it.
- PDF button locked? Downloads are a Permanent Member feature.
In simple words:Helps you sell better: it writes professional marketing material for your produce and keeps simple records of buyers, prices and quantities so you can see your trends and repeat customers.
Purpose: Helps you sell better: it writes professional marketing material for your produce and keeps simple records of buyers, prices and quantities so you can see your trends and repeat customers.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
How profit is worked out
Profit is simply the money left after you pay for everything. Example: 100 crates sold at KES 2,000 each = KES 200,000 money in. Total farm costs = KES 120,000 money out. KES 200,000 − KES 120,000 = KES 80,000 profit.
Step-by-step
- Open Marketing & Sales and pick what to create — description, brochure, Facebook or WhatsApp advert, poster, branding or headlines.
- Enter the produce, who you want to reach, and the details that make it attractive.
- Press 'Create marketing material', then copy it straight into WhatsApp or Facebook.
- Switch to Sales Manager and record each sale: buyer, product, quantity, price, date and whether you were paid.
- Open Buyers & Trends to see your income by month, your repeat buyers and your best-earning products.
Examples
- WhatsApp advert for 'Grade 1 Hass, picked this morning, 4 kg crates, delivery within 30 km'.
- Sale record: Mama Grace Stores · Hass Grade 1 · 200 kg · 85 per kg · paid.
Tips
- Mention freshness, grading, packaging and availability — those are what buyers pay more for.
- Contact your repeat buyers a week before harvest; they are your cheapest sales.
Troubleshooting
- No trends showing? Record at least a few sales first.
- Amounts in the wrong currency? Set your country on My Profile.
In simple words:Your daily decision dashboard. It reads everything already on the platform — orchards, calendar, journal, avocado scans, weather and sales — scores each area out of 10 and explains what is going well, what needs attention and what to do next.
Purpose: Your daily decision dashboard. It reads everything already on the platform — orchards, calendar, journal, avocado scans, weather and sales — scores each area out of 10 and explains what is going well, what needs attention and what to do next.
Picture that explains this
Tap or use the keyboard on any part of the diagram to see what it means.
No part selected yet.
What the weather does to your orchard
Weather only matters when you know what it does to the tree and what to do about it. Heavy rain drowns roots, hot dry days pull water out of the tree faster than the roots can replace it, and strong wind rubs and drops fruit. Each row shows the action that protects your crop.
Step-by-step
- Open Orchard Performance from the sidebar.
- Read your overall score, then check the area cards to see where points are being lost.
- Read 'What needs attention' and use the links to jump straight to the tool that fixes it.
- Press "Today's briefing" for a full written briefing from your orchard manager.
- Follow the suggested learning links to close the weakest gaps.
Tips
- Set your farm location on My Profile so weather is included in the score.
- The more you record in Farm Journal, My Crops and Sales, the more accurate the score becomes.
- Check it each morning — it takes under a minute.
Troubleshooting
- Score low but the farm is fine? The score reflects what is recorded; add your crops and journal entries.
- Weather card empty? Add your farm location on My Profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Troubleshooting
Still need help?
Email global.greenhouse64@gmail.com or visit our Contact page. We usually reply within one business day.