Farmers advised to grow macadamia plant

EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA—The chairman of Rwanda Horticulture Development Authority (RHODA), Peter Muvara has asked farmers of Macadamia plant in Rwamagana to interest other farmers to grow the plant because of its demand. He said the plant generates a lot of money on the international market. He was addressing members of Macadamia farmers’ cooperative at Dereva Hotel in Rwamagana district during training recently. The training attracted 45 trainees who included Macadamia farmers and private agronomists who monitor the growing of the plant. Elyseé Gatarayiha, the chairman of Twihangire Macadamia Cooperative, observed that the number of macadamia growers would increase with increased awareness. “This will also help the growers know how to be good farmers of the plant and know each other. We also want to use the small quantity we have for promotion, and then transform the products,” Gatarayiha said. Macadamia nuts can be eaten raw or cooked. The nuts are also used to make an edible bland salad oil, to provide timber and ornaments. Years ago, a coffee-like beverage known as “almond coffee” was marketed from the seeds, according to agronomists. Gatarayiha said the plant has not been recognised in the country because it is new. According to Gatarayiha, however, the plant had been introduced years ago (1970s) but was not given attention which caused it to die away. He said that macadamia is hard to manage and acquiring the tree is hard but the government is putting in more efforts and targets one million trees by 2010. Ends