Welcome to Macadamia information center

The Highland Macadamia Cooperative Union Limited (HIMACUL) represents smallholder macadamia growers in Malawi. With 3800 members spread out all over the country and partners in other countries too we have gone about setting up an area where information and news can be posted and commented on.

Smallholder macadamia groups are throughout the country in Mulanje, Neno, Mwanza, Dowa, Ntchisi and Rumphi. Through investing in cooperatives and associations the annual establishment has risen to 70,000 trees a year and over 1000 Ha is currently under smallholder management in the country. The majority of this crop has been established in the last 4 years. Kernel volumes are at present small but will grow significantly as this crop matures.

Thursday, January 29

Australia Trip

A trip to Australia was supported by the Neno Macadamia Trust. The trip also gave the project an opportunity to view the Australian industry and medium scale NIS bulking operation. The trip was very useful to envisage what type of bulking structure and equipment would be needed in the smallholder sector in Malawi.
Visits were made to a good medium sized macadamia farm where several important areas were discussed and explored. The establishment of rootstock followed by top working/ punch budding in the field should be explored and would resolve many inherent bottle necks in the community nursery system. Trial plantings for training and demonstration purposes have been arranged. Several new varieties were identified with potential for the smallholders further investigation will take place to assess the material for suitability. A specific report giving more detail of the trip is available upon request.
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