ZARI TAKES LEAD IN MACADAMIA NUT PRODUCTION

Government through the Ministry of Agriculture has this year, signed two important business protocols, one with South Africa for the export of Avocados and another with China to export Macadamia Nuts to that country.

These exciting business deals, are set to beef up Zambia’s foreign exchange as farmers will be able to export these two Agro products in turn earn revenue.

In Zambia, Macadamia nut production is relatively a new venture, with only a few commercial farmers engaged in its production and supply to other countries through third parties as there has not been protocols for its export to major foreign markets.

The Macadamia nut is a popular nut fruit world over that offers various health benefits due to its nutrient rich profile, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and are also said to be a good supplement for weight management.

With such benefits and also the recently signed agreement for its export to China, Government is seeking to grow the production of Macadamia Nuts not only for export but also as a way of crop diversification.

The Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) has since begun exploring and researching on quality Macadamia Nut species suitable for the Zambian soil in an effort to encourage its production among small holder farmers.

ZARI Director, Dr Ndashe Kapulu stated that ZIRA is implementing a pilot project aimed at building capacity in farmers in planting, management and production of Macadamia Nuts alongside other high value fruit trees.

Dr Kapulu added that his institute has already identified and trained lead farmers across the nation to pilot the Macadamia tree plantations meant to show other farmers its commercial benefit.

“Our Contribution is to ensure that farmers are trained on how to grow high value trees on their farms. We have trained community women from nursery production to management of the trees till they start harvesting the nuts. We want to spearhead the Macadamia Nut farming as it is economically viable as well as good for integrated farming,” Dr Kapulu stressed.

ZARI Horticulture Research Coordinator, Dr Emilin Mwenda explained that through a project called Building Equitable Climate Resilient African Bean, Fruits and Insect Sector (BRAINS), the institute targets to train 5,000 farmers in seven districts in the Macadamia nursery production.

Dr Mwenda added that ZARI has for a long time been undertaking research in fruit production in order to contribute to climate smart agriculture empathizing that the benefit of planting fruit trees go beyond economic gain but also it contributes to mitigation efforts of the effects of climate change.

“As researchers, we are encouraging farmers to plant fruit trees in order to integrate their farm crops which will add value to their farming. Under BRAINS, we are training small holder farmers to embrace fruit trees on their farms especially Macadamia nuts now that we have a business agreement with China,” Dr Mwenda said.

She further said ZARI has been exploring ways to promote fruit tree production in all its research stations around the country and it offers technical support to farmers in the fruit industry.

“Our mandate is to serve farmers and so we encourage them to visit our stations across the nation in order to acquire knowledge that will help them manage fruit trees for commercial purposes as well as for climate resilience at farm level,” Dr Mwenda emphasized.

As the country is driving the diversification agenda in the agriculture sector, all efforts should now be directed at supporting small scale farmers to viably engage in different crops and fruit trees like the Macadamia Nut trees.

This is why, the Chilanga Town Council, is considering aiding farmers with resources from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to acquire fruit trees in order to tap in the export business of fruits.

Chilanga Town Council Chairperson Champion Tembo explained that Chilanga is an agriculture hub for Lusaka Province and that the district wants to take advantage of the recently signed agreement with China to promote Macadamia Nuts.

“CDF is people’s money and so we are willing to release it to farmers who would want to plant Macadamia Nut trees so that Chilanga also contributes to the fulfillment of the export agreement,” Mr Tembo stated.

The business agreement was signed, what remains is to see that farmers are informed about the benefit of fruit trees such as Macadamia Nuts and how they can gain from planting such trees around their farms.

Fruit tress especially Macadamia nuts, cashew nuts, avocado, mangoes among others are not only economic trees but also good for climate resiliency, integrated farming, soil and environmental protection which are critical components of smart agriculture.  -NAIS