The ManicaPost
Emmah Chinyamutangira Manicaland Correspondent
MACADAMIA nut production in Chipinge will this year fail to meet set targets of 9 000 tonnes following a poor season where the quality and weight of the crop was affected by the drought which hit Manicaland province.
The farmers will therefore lose out on about US$47 000 from a Chinese company which usually buys the nuts from them.
Agritex horticulture specialist, Mr Douglas Nzarayebani said farmers had already started harvesting the crop and most were concerned about its compromised quality.
“Macadamia farmers have lost hope of meeting their goal to produce more than 9 000 tonnes this season due to the long dry spell which affected the fruit on its maturity period.
“Farmers have already started harvesting and although they are still keen to increase production levels, they are worried by the failure to generate the much needed foreign currency,” said Mr Nzarayebani.
He said good quality macadamia has a higher demand on local and international market and it has the potential to promote lucrative horticultural exports in Zimbabwe.
“Good quality of macadamia nuts is favourable in global markets. There are being increasingly recognized as a valuable source of nutrients with a number of health benefits because of their high content of mono unsaturated fatty acids,” he added.
Mr Nzarayebani said although cyclone Idai had brought destruction to the districts of Chipinge and Chimanimani where the majority of macadamia nuts are produced, it had also left moisture in the ground, which was good for the crop’s growth next season.
“The upkeep of trees is guaranteed;the available moisture can sustain them until the next season. This will ensure high yields from thetrees,”said Mr Nzarayebani.
Macadamia production has become a cash cow for quite a number of smallholder farmers in Chipinge. One tree can yield up to 20kg of nuts at a time which is sold at an average price of US$4 per kg and potentially earning farmers between $25 000 to $30 000 per hectare.
The biggest market for the crop is China and experts believe that the Asian country has the capacity to take up more nuts if farmers can increase production.
The crop is also less chemical intensive hence it costs less to produce than coffee, which most farmers in Chipinge have abandoned in favour of macadamia.
