A study released by the Belgian development agency, BTC shows that Rwanda has a great potential for macadamia production.
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Introduced in the country in early 1980’s, macadamia had not attracted a big interest from various stakeholders whether public or private sector operators or even international development partners.
According to current findings, estimates are that between 85,000 and 200,000 macadamia trees in Rwanda that produce 700 metric tons of nuts-in shell or the nuts after the husk has been removed annually.
The estimates put the production at about 16,000 metric tons over the next 15 years to generate more than USD 30 million annually by 2020.
Currently, production is largely organized through farmers’ cooperatives.
Furthermore, the data generated by the study, anticipates that production growth calls for the setting up of a primary and secondary processing factory to add value for the local production in order to maximize returns.
However, this fact makes it difficult to have a large body of knowledge about this cash crop especially on diseases and parasites, economic and business opportunities and available transformation technologies.
Commissioned by Kayonza District with support of the Belgian – Rwandese Study Fund, the feasibility Study for Macadamia development and processing in Rwanda, aimed at promoting modern and cost effective technologies to develop macadamia plantations and a processing factory to ensure an export oriented economic growth in the district.
The study also gathered data and information around the country to assess current state of production and project potential growth as well as economic significance of the development of Macadamia as a cash crop in Rwanda.
“The climatic condition in Rwanda is ideal for high quality macadamias and high yields.Trees will produce much nuts for a year from multiple flowerings. This will keep a processing plant operating for longer and give farmers a more consistent income,” The report reads in parts.
“Moreover, the introduction of new and appropriate varieties and a proper post harvest management remain key guarantees for high quality product,” Preliminary findings indicate.
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