Farmers in Gatundu North on Sunday received more than 5,000 macadamia seedlings from Jungle Nuts Limited to boost their production.
JNL, a Thika-based macadamia processing firm, has been distributing free seedlings to improve macadamia production in Kiambu.
The firm’s CEO, who is also the Thika MP Patrick Wainaina alias Wa Jungle, while distributing the seedlings in Gachege area said the initiative is geared toward empowering farmers and creating jobs for the youth.
Wainaina said macadamia fetches better prices of between Sh150 and Sh200 per kilo compared to tea and coffee.
“Macadamia nuts have a ready market and the demand is higher than the supply. Prices are always competitive and good for farmers,” he said.
Wainaina said JNL has also rolled out a training programme for farmers on better macadamia practices like grafting of seedlings and high-yielding varieties to help improve production and maximise profit.
“This is a chance for our youth to venture into macadamia farming and make a fortune out of it. We want to end over-reliance on white collar jobs and go back to the farms," he said.
"We are optimistic that once our youth realise how profitable macadamia farming is they will retreat from the urban centres to the farms.”
Wainaina said improved macadamia farming will boost Kenya’s ranking as the top macadamia.
“Kenya is currently ranked third in the world in processed macadamia nuts and first in organic macadamia production. I believe that with increased production we will overtake South Africa and Australia to clinch the first position by year 2025,” Wainaina said.
He added that besides making money for farmers, macadamia farming will also contribute to the country’s efforts of achieving more than 10 per cent forest cover.
Jungle Nuts Limited has entered into a pact with macadamia farmers from Kiambu and other parts of the Mt Kenya region.
The firm buys nuts directly from the farmers and makes monthly payments for the produce.
Farmers welcomed the initiative saying they expect to increase their production and get good returns.
“Macadamia growing is the best way to beat poverty. We have suffered for a long time in tea and coffee farming which pays peanuts. We will also be receiving monthly payments,” Leah Wanjiru, a farmer said.
Wainaina warned farmers to avoid selling their produce to middlemen who will exploit them.
“Jungle Nuts Limited will be buying nuts directly from farmers so that we can keep off brokers who have been shortchanging farmers on their earnings,” Wainaina said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
