| The Malawian smallholder is seeking to secure
a future with long term crops such as macadamia. |
Known as the 'Queensland Nut of Australia' macadamia was first
commercially grown in Malawi on tea estates in the 1960s.
Macadamia trees thrive in Malawi and grow best when fed with
composts, which are then covered with mulch.
This makes it an ideal smallholder crop as the purchase of inorganic
fertilizers is both difficult and expensive.
Macadamia trees take ten to fifteen years to fully mature, but
produce their first nuts in the third year after planting.
The slow growth brings the advantage of a long life.
Macadamia trees are drought tolerant which is tremendously important
with changing weather patterns.
Macadamia nuts have a very oily quality and rich taste .
The oil produced by macadamia nuts as well as the nuts themselves
can be used for cooking and in the long term could be processed
for beauty products.
Recipes using macadamia nuts are becoming very popular and add
something to a fine menu. |
|
 |
Grafted seedling to motherbush |
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Planting |
 |
| Macadamia Nut |
 |
Oil Pressing |
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