Kenya Nut Company Limited is seeking Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the County Government of Busia to develop Macadamia, Cashewnut and Avacado growing in the county.
Addressing the press after paying a courtesy call to Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong in his office on Thursday, the Company Business Development Manager, Eric Mwangi said the partnership will see them go into extension services where they will provide tree seedlings, education and support to farmers to enable them grow the crop for prosperity and assist in climate change.
The Governor said his government is ready to partner with Kenya Nut Company, noting that Macadamia is a good starting point to consider when trying enhancing resilience, agricultural productivity, food security, nutrition and economic empowerment of small holder farmer communities.
"Busia County has promising potential for macadamia growth, thus the need to encourage farmers to venture into its production," the governor noted.
Chief Officer Agriculture (Upper Region) Eng Richard Achiambo said the county has currently over 900 macadamia trees courtesy of the partnership with PALWECO and USAID.
Kenya is the world's third largest macadamia producer and the second largest exporter of macadamia.
According to Agriculture and Food Authority, the leading Macadamia producing counties in Kenya are Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Tharaka Nithi, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Nyeri and Taita Taveta.
Other counties which have a promising potential are Makueni, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Baringo and Busia.
Macadamia kernel is eaten as a dessert but in raw or roasted form. Soaps and cosmetics industries use the oil as raw material. The oil press cake can be used as livestock feed additive, the shells can be used to make charcoal.
The wood has the potential for production of hard timber for furniture or building. Macadamia shells may be used as fuel, while the hulls, the green covering of the nuts, contain approximately 14% of substances suitable for tanning leather. It's pollen is very attractive to bees, providing necessary forage for honey production.
Those present included Speaker of the County Assembly Bernard Wamalwa, Trade Executive Judith Maketso, Chief Officer Trade, Markets and Industry, Nelson Kwamini and Director Crops Samson Khachina.
