Benefits of growing the tree

The Malawian smallholder is seeking to secure a future with long term crops such as macadamia.

Macadamia, also know as the Queensland nut, originated in Australia. The plant was introduced into Malawi onto the tea plantations in 1968 where it flourished. It is now a major export income earner.

Clonal trees of only one main variety are grown, this is Macadamia Integrefolia. The other generally known variety is Macadamia Tetraphilla.

Trees are produced in nurseries by grafting accepted clones on to young seedlings, and they mature at around twelve years. They grow best using compost covered with mulch, and this fact makes macadamia a good smallholder tree as expensive inorganic fertilizers can do more harm than good.

The nuts mature annually, and fall to the ground where they are regularly harvested and then air dried in shade. Insect pests can be a problem, but research has provided good pest control.

Website by Simon Woolverton