The Malawi macadamia industry is going to experience a production increase over the next decade as orchards continue to grow in rural farms throughout the country. In order to manage this growth and maximize the potential for return, representatives of every sector of the industry got together to draft a plan of action. The Strategic Plan, which will be implemented from 2012 to 2020, has as its purpose to integrate smallholder farmers into the export-based macadamia industry in a way that is commercially viable and to establish support mechanisms that will carry the industry forward for the next 20 years.
There are four objectives in the Strategic Plan. The first objective is a upright arrow in charts of productivity, profitability and sustainability. For each of these margins to grow it is imperative to first know what is happening on the ground. Thus, there will be data collection through surveys and individual farm reports. This information will then be used to creat a Comprehensive Bench Marking report with all the details of the current practices throughout the industry.
Since productivity is directly linked with the variety of trees and the methods used to care for them, it is necessary to invest at the nursery level. One of the strategies to attain the first objective is to develop specific varieties of macadamia trees suited for the climate, resistant to local pests, and dwarfed for better managing of the crop. Nurseries capable of propagating new clones will then offer farmers these trees, along with information of how to care for them. It is important for farmers to know more about the crop, thus the Strategic Plan includes establishing information portals, training services both on and off site, and advice to new growers so that they can make well-informed decisions in setting up their orchards.
The second objective of the plan is aimed specifically at smallholder farmers, represented through the Highland Macadamia Cooperative Union Limited (HIMACUL). The objective is to provide an enabling environment that can allow farmers to establish themselves as an integral part of the industry. Direct investment in infrastructure is needed if the volume of nuts is to grow in this sector, so two post-harvest centres will be built and equipped. To give incentive to farmers who handle and manage their crops well, a quality-based buying system will be put into place, and the second grade nuts that cannot be exported will go into the national market, for which the plan will explore ways to develop commercialisation of the product and it derivatives. HIMACUL will be invited and represented at industry committees, as well as presented with annual assessments and statistics of production. This way smallholders will be recognised as an official part of the industry.
The third objective is to secure the industry’s position as a world-class macadamia exporter. Building the volume of production is essential for this objective, and to secure that volume as a reliable base all of the 3rd party growers will be registered. The complete registry will have contact details so that training events and information can be sent and best practices spread evenly amongst farmers. Another strategy will be to seek certifications such as Fair Trade, Organic, and Rainforest Alliance in order to access niche markets. Also, the plan will implement commercialisation of macadamia by-products, which will maximize the value of the crop, give better understanding of macadamia within the industry, and thus strengthen the overall business model.
The fourth and final objective is the key to achieving all other objectives and move the industry forward: to develop an industry-wide capacity to manage the growth. This will be achieved in several ways, the first of which entails setting up a committee that can keep track of the advancements being made and explore ways of overcoming challenges. Next is the selection and training of human resources, as well as identifying candidates to be sent for advanced training on weaknesses currently affecting the industry. Finally, an key to the implementation of the Strategic Plan is to find interested donors to fund these advancements, and to develop a long-term funding plan.
By Lorena Fernandez
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