tawandamusarurwa
Theseus Shambare
FARMERS have been urged to embrace production of macadamia nuts, taking advantage of the growing demand for the produce in major markets around the world and earn foreign currency for the country.
Dubbed the green diamond, macadamia nuts are viewed as a lucrative cash crop due to their multiple uses, international market value and a decades-long harvesting lifespan.
Speaking during a field day at Mukumbiri Farm in Mvurwi, ZimTrade export manager Mr Tatenda Marume said macadamia production dovetails with Government’s thrust of establishing community nutrition gardens countrywide, with each household expected to have at least 10 trees.
“As Government embarks on a thrust of leaving no one and no place behind, making agriculture a lucrative business, we are urging farmers to come on board and enjoy the benefits of producing high-valued nuts.
“On the international market, currently, the nut in shell (macadamia nut sold with its shells) is going for an average price of US$4,60 per kilogramme, while the cracked nut (shelled nut) is being sold for US$12 to US$18,” said Mr Marume .
He said while the production of macadamia nuts has traditionally been prominent in Manicaland, recent surveys have shown that it can be grown countrywide. “We invited experts from the Netherlands and, upon their survey, they said all parts of Zimbabwe can grow these nuts as long as good agronomic practices required for good yields are religiously followed.”
ZimTrade, Mr Marume said, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, established good relations with China for easy access of Zimbabwean macadamia to its market, with less paperwork.
Mukumbiri Farm is owned by Mr Jefta Mugweni and his wife Mrs Tsitsi Mugweni. Mrs Mugweni said macadamia production is a lifetime investment, as the trees can be harvested for 60 to 80 years.
“Experts say macadamia nut trees can go up to 80 years producing good yields to a farmer. It takes eight years for a macadamia nut tree to start producing fruits but through grafting, macadamia plants only need three years to start producing fruits.
“It is a plant that, when maintained well, can give good returns. Here, we have produced 500 000 seedlings, which we are inviting willing starters to come and buy, while we offer them free planting labour. We are also in the process of establishing our own state-of-the-art factory here for value addition,” she said.
Agronomist Mr Persistence Maposa said macadamia production is affordable once a farmer establishes a plantation.
“Each tree requires five kilogrammes of Compound J fertiliser per year during its production phase, which is quite affordable. No frequent spraying is needed in the plantations. Instead, a farmer does scouting and spraying when there is a need,” he said.
A well-managed orchard, he said, with tree spacing of 8 metres by 4 metres (or 312 trees per hectare) is expected to yield a peak of 3,5 tonnes to 4 tonnes of in-shell nuts per ha (12 kilogrammes to 13 kilogrammes per tree) at maturity.
Macadamia nuts can be processed into oil, butter, chocolates and biscuits, among other products.
Research has shown that the nuts have unique nutritional benefits. They protect the brain and lower the risk of heart disease, among other benefits.
Online Reporter