Macadamia Farming in Kenya.
This article is focused on macadamia farming in Kenya. One of Kenya's most lucrative crops is macadamia. Kenya is the second-largest exporter and third-largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world due to the fact that about 90% of the crop is farmed for export.
In Kenya, macadamia nuts are a crop that is gaining popularity. Natural sources of fatty acids, protein, and other nutrients can be found in nuts.
You need a warm, sunny climate with constant humidity if you want to macadamia farming in Kenya. The optimal soil for macadamia farming in Kenya is a sandy loam with a high level of organic matter. In addition, the soil has to be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer program and get an abundance of water.
After the trees are planted, you must give them ongoing care. To keep a healthy tree, you need periodically water it, fertilize it every few months, and prune it.
The majority of Kenyan farmers are starting to produce macadamia trees, and it's turning out to be a successful financial endeavor for them. Low-income farmers find macadamia farming in Kenya to be the perfect venture due to the rising demand and significant earnings realized.
Macadamia Farming in Kenya Do Well
Small-scale farmers in Kenya produce the majority of the country's macadamia nuts, mostly in the central regions of Embu, Muranga, and Meru. Currently, there are more than 200,000 small-scale producers of the nuts in the nation.
Starting Macadamia Farming in Kenya
On a single acre of land, 70 macadamia trees can flourish. A fully mature macadamia tree can produce between 50 and 300 kg of macadamia nuts. The majority of farmers in Kenya, however, harvest less than the aforementioned amounts due to a number of challenges, the most frequent of which being invasive pests and illnesses.
China, Europe, and America are the main export destinations for Kenyan macadamia. Since the government forbade the export of in-shell nuts in 2009, the nation has begun preparing all of its agricultural products before putting them on the market. China is a significant importer of Kenyan nuts, and demand there is rising.
Macadamia Farming in Kenya. The ‘Brown Gold Nuts’
Ecological Requirements for Macadamia Farming in Kenya
Being tropical trees, macadamias thrive in locations with full sunlight and protection from the wind for healthy fruit production.
Altitude: 1500-2000m above sea level
Rainfall: Rainfall should range from 800 to 1200 mm annually. This can be boosted by irrigation, particularly in areas that don’t receive adequate rainfall.
Soils: Deep well drained, fertile loose soil with pH ranging from 5-6. Deep and well-drained acidic soil.
Temperature: The ideal range of temperature is “between” 16-250C.
Right spacing of the macadamia trees, usually 10 by 10 meters. This ensures that the trees get access to sunlight.
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Land Preparation for Macadamia Farming in Kenya
Done during the dry time two to three months before to planting. Prepare 60 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm holes, add 10 kg of manure, then 100 g of TSP.
Best kind or Variety Kenyan Macadamia Agriculture
Murang'a 20 is the macadamia variety that is most frequently advised for growth (MRG-20). Due to its quicker maturation and ease of climatic adaptation, this type is generally recommended by agricultural specialists and researchers.
The ideal variety to plant is MRG-20, although it is advised to also grow other types for cross-pollination. KRG-15, EMB-1, and KMB-3 are additional varieties of macadamia seedlings.
Propagation of Macadamia Farming in Kenya
The white mark on the seed should be facing down when you plant it; germination will take between one and three months. After a year, the root-stocks are grafted using the cleft method, with smooth shelled kinds serving as both the scion and the root-stock. After 8–10 months, transplant the grafted seedlings and fill each hole with 50g of P fertilizer. Pure stands should be spaced 7.5 meters apart, while spreading varieties, like KMB3, should be spaced 10 meters apart.
Pruning- Macadamia Farming in Kenya.
Till the plant reaches 1 m in height, cut off all side branches. Cut the main leader at 80 to 100 cm. This helps to maintain the tree's sound structure and increase yields. Before flowering and after harvesting are when it is done. To stop the spread of illnesses, pruning shears can be cleaned with BIOSURE. To lessen nutrient competition, damaged timber is removed during pruning.
Intercropping- Macadamia Farming in Kenya
With crops like coffee, banana or common beans
Weeding - Macadamia Farming in Kenya
The southern green stink bug needs a primary food source in addition to macadamia nuts in order to live. It is advisable to weed host plants because this is where stink bugs develop and multiply before feeding on macadamia nuts. The weeds between the nut trees can be controlled with non-selective herbicides like CATAPULT.
Mulching - Macadamia Farming in Kenya
Mulch will significantly lessen your need to water your plants because it will decrease the amount of water that evaporates from your soil. by dissolving clay and improving the flow of water and air through the soil. Sandal soil gains nutrients from mulch, which also increases its capacity to retain water.
Irrigation - Macadamia Farming in Kenya
During the first two years of the macadamia seedling's development, irrigation is crucial. To increase water-holding capacity, a basin with a 60 cm diameter was created. Every two weeks, 20L of water is needed at this early stage. Once the tree has reached maturity, irrigation frequency is lowered.
Best fertilizers for Macadamia Farming in Kenya
• Just before the rains, add a little over 20 kg of organic manure per tree each year.
• Annually add 200g of S.A. per tree, NPK 17:17:17 Twice a year, 200g per tree, and should fall during the rainy season.
• To acquire suggestions on fertilizer application that are specific to a farm, soil analysis will be preferable.
• FERRARI GOLD, which provides the plant with the calcium and other microelements it needs.
• VITABOR GOLD- includes additional nitrogen to help plants absorb boron
LAVENDER TOTAL- to provide sufficient supply of N, P, K, and trace elements throughout the plant cycle. ZINC GOLD- to offer maximum Zinc necessary by the plant. GOLDCHANCE SUPER START, GROWTH, and FLOWER&FRUIT- to deliver macro-elements required in varying ratios during the different phases.
Pest Control for Macadamia Farming in Kenya
• Macadamia stink bug, spray with Confidor or any other suitable pesticide
• Stink bugs, apply a suitable pesticide
• Macadamia nut borer, maintain field hygiene in storage facilities, use insecticides like Atelic
Disease Management Macadamia Farming in Kenya
Avoid water logging, soak with fostyl-aluminum, use organic manure, or dress the cankers with copper fungicides to prevent root rot and trunk cancer.
Harvesting - Macadamia Farming in Kenya
The harvesting season is scheduled to begin in February, and it looks as though the lucrative macadamia farming in Kenya (agribusiness industry) will continue to prosper.
Start in the 3rd year after planting, manure nuts are dropped from tress and dehusked 2-3 days after harvesting. For two to three days, dry the nuts outdoors under cover.
The majority of farmers suffer significant losses during harvest, particularly when they gather nuts too early. Premature nuts will therefore need to be kept in storage for a while. The nut's quality might be impacted by this. It is therefore best to only collect mature nuts.
Additionally, sisal bags should be used to store any gathered nuts.
Yield - Macadamia Farming in Kenya
The peak production of 3.5 to 4 tons of in-shell nuts per ha (12 to 13 kg per tree) is anticipated in a well-managed orchard with tree spacing of 8 by 4 meters (or 312 trees per hectare), while orchards on bad sites or those that are poorly managed may not reach these numbers.
Market - Macadamia Farming in Kenya
China, Europe, and America are the main export destinations for Kenyan macadamia. Since the government forbade the export of in-shell nuts in 2009, the nation has begun preparing all of its agricultural products before putting them on the market. China is a significant importer of Kenyan nuts due to its rising demand.
Farmers are no longer have to be concerned about middlemen who steal a larger portion of their hard-earned profits. There are currently around 27 authorized and approved macadamia processors in Kenya who buy straight from farmers. Additionally, these processors offer financial and advisory services to farmers. As a result, farmers are effectively protected from fraud and losses.
*Bottom Line*
Kenyan farmers have endured a string of setbacks and low prices for their agricultural products. Because of this, a large majority of them have chosen to leave the agriculture industry and turn to other sources of income.
But all hope is not lost. Farmers in Kenya now have many reasons to grin once more thanks to the introduction of macadamia farming in Kenya.
The crop yields huge income and needs little upkeep. Additionally, grafted macadamia trees mature quickly and can find a ready market anywhere. Farmers should adopt this agricultural method as a result for quick and significant returns.
FAQ - Macadamia Farming in Kenya.
What are macadamia nuts worth in Kenyan markets?
Despite the fact that macadamias are the priciest nut in the world, it is regrettable that Kenyan farmers are still not receiving a fair price for their raw nuts. At the end of the 2019 harvesting season, a kilogram of the nuts was purchased for the highest price of Ksh 230. Compared to what farmers receive in other parts of the world, this is far less. For instance, Australian farmers can make up to Ksh 600 from each kilogram of raw nuts.
So, is Kenyan macadamia farming profitable?
Well, Kenyan macadamia producers continue to earn a respectable profit. Here, we might perform a simple calculation: 100 kilograms are typically produced annually by mature macadamia trees. An acre typically has 80 trees, therefore a harvest yields 8000 kilograms per acre. This farmer will earn Ksh 1.2 million in revenue if he sells his produce for an average price of Ksh 150 per kilo. A mature macadamia farming in Kenya won't require much more than Ksh 100,000 in maintenance, leaving the farmer with a cool million to take home.
How much water do macadamia trees need?
Farmers in Kenya effectively grow macadamia without ever having to irrigate the trees. However, you already know what it means: their yields are never at their best.
Throughout the flowering and fruiting phase, a macadamia tree requires at least 40 liters of water each day for optimum production. When the nuts reach maturity, irrigation should be discontinued to allow them to harden off. This is a crucial knowledge for anyone looking to commercially grow macadamia in hot climates with less than 800 mm of annual precipitation.
Which is the best macadamia variety in Kenya?
The best macadamia tree variety in Kenya, in our opinion, is Muranga 20. This is so that it will grow well in both cool and hot regions and produce at the same level wherever it is planted. In comparison to other types, the weight and quality of the nuts are also higher. The farmer does not have to wait as long to receive their first fruits because to its strong development.
Despite being a valuable industry and a tree fruit that few farmers in Kenya enjoy, nut processing businesses in Kenya offer direct markets for nuts at affordable prices. Cakes, ice cream, biscuits, and confections all contain nuts. Shells are used as a boiler fuel source. As a byproduct of oil production, macadamia cake is fed to animals.
List of Licensed Macadamia Processors in Kenya.
|
COMPANY |
CONTACT |
|
Wondernut
International (EPZ) Ltd |
Tel:+254
722713075, 733606707Cell: +254 722713075 Email: info@wondernut.co.ke |
|
Kenya Nut Company Ltd |
info@kenyanut.com |
|
Jungle Nuts Limited Location; Thika |
Contact:
+254 20 514 2800, Email: info@junglenuts.co.ke |
|
Exotic EPZ Ltd |
Cell:+254
0707053998 Email: abdi@exotic.co.ke / hassan@exotic.co.ke |
|
Hannjo Nuts Limited – Location; Nairobi |
Contact:
0746 490 746 Email:
info@hannjonuts.com |
|
Equatorial Nut Processors Limited- Location; Parklands |
Contacts:
+254 20 804 3083, +254 20 375 3124 Email:
info@equatorialnut.co.ke |
|
Sagana Nuts Company Ltd Location: Sagana Town |
Contact:
0727 819 332 Email:
info@saganuts.co.ke |
|
Afri China International Limited Location: Imara Daima, Nairobi |
Contact:
0716 510 222 Email:
afchnk@yahoo.com |
|
Eureka Nuts EPZ Ltd Location: Athi River |
Contacts:
0792 565 464, 0720 926 372 Email:
info@eurekanutsepz.co.ke |
|
Athi River Oil Africa EPZ Ltd Location: Athi River |
Contacts:
0735 474 127 Email:
info@athioils.com |
|
Rainsun Nuts Company Limited Contact: 0722 794 044 |
Email:
rainsun2015@yahoo.com Location:
Karatina |
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1 Comments
"I would also like to say thank you to all Xaxa Farms staff. I will let my mum know about this, she could really make use of Macadamia Farming in Kenya!"
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