Macadamia farmers hail Dapp project

Macadamia farmers in Thyolo District have commended Development Aid from People to People (Dapp) for empowering them to grow the crop.

Speaking yesterday during a media tour of cooperatives in Traditional Authority Boyd in the district, Felix Ngwilima of Kambiri Cooperative said the produce will transform his life.

He said: “When the trees start producing the nuts, they do so for a long time.

“So, this will provide money for my family even when I grow old.”

Ngwilima said they previously failed to grow the crop due to lack of seedlings and reliable markets.

Another farmer Boniface Makondetsa of Chimvu Macadamia Cooperative said he expected to cash in from the nuts.

In his remarks, Dapp farmers clubs project officer Eric Mukhuna said they empower farmers to grow macadamia to transform their lives.

“I urge farmers to nurture the crop to realise more yield in future,” he said.

Macadamia are one of the perennial crops that can yield for more than 30 years. 

The organisation also provides extension services to farmers while Sable Farming Company acts as ‘middleman’ between farmers and buyers.

With funding from the Dutch Government, Dapp is running the project in Thyolo and Mzimba districts.