120K New Macadamia Nuts Plants For 2022

By Steve Ephraem

Zimbabwe is set to increase its macadamia nuts production starting next year where it has set a target of establishing 120 000 macadamia nuts plants for small holder farmers.

This was revealed during training workshops held in Chipinge and Chimanimani last week by Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA).

The workshops were part of the twelve of such held in the country by AMA in collaboration with Macadamia Association of Zimbabwe, Plant Quarantine Service, Chipinge Research Institute and Agritex.

In Chipinge, the workshops were held at Clearwater, Mabheka, Paidamoyo and Mt Selinda as Kopa hosted the Chimanimani one.

Addressing farmers, Macadamia Association of Zimbabwe’s Secretary, James Maisiri, said that their organization is spearheading to establish more than 100 000 new plants in 2022.

“We are incorporating smallholder farmers and we are encouraging them to grow at least 10 new plants for the 2021-2022 growing season. We have a target of establishing 120 000 new macadamia nuts plants next year” said Maisiri.

Agricultural Marketing Authority Provincial Inspector for Manicaland, Rose Ruzario revealed that AMA as a regulatory board has put in place mechanism to check on quality macadamia nuts production.

“We are advocating for quality produce so that macadamia nuts can to attract more foreign currency. Quality is not acquired in the factory but begin with the seedling itself that is why we are checking on the whole process from nurseries to the final export of macadamia,” said Ruzario.

Traditional leadership is also happy with the new development of small holder farmer participating in the production of macadamia nuts since the move shall bring industry to the rural areas.

“When our farmers are involved in the macadamia nuts business, it will help develop our areas since there shall be a circulation of money in the rural areas,” village head Dudzai Ndiyadzo of Ndiyadzo village in Chipinge rural ward 9 who graced the workshop said.