Government has selected avocado as one of the high economic potential crops beside coffee that will be promoted and grown throughout the country for export purposes.

The Agriculture minister, Mr Vincent Ssempijja, said government has specifically chosen a new variety; Hass avocado, due to its early maturity, high productivity and thelong shelf-life that eases export.

Mr Ssempijja said government will escalate the process of setting up an industry for oil extraction from avocado so that farmers get even more market for all sizes of fruits they will produce.

He said they have already enrolled 650 farmers across the country who have so far established 1,480 acres of the Hass Avocado variety.

Hass avocado comes into production in two and a half years compared to local varieties that may start in seventh or eighth year.