Farmers in Kenya’s macadamia sector have agreed to form cooperatives as part of extensive reforms aimed at streamlining the value chain and improving earnings.
The resolution was reached during a two-day forum that brought together Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) as a regulator, processors and farmers, where participants emphasized that cooperatives will enhance bargaining power, improve market access and curb widespread macadamia theft.
AFA Acting Director General Calistus Kundu, who graced the forum, reiterated that organized farmer groups will bring order and accountability to the sector adding that through AFA there will be a pricing committee comprising key stakeholders in the sector that will see to it that farmers get what they dully deserve from their produce.
During the forum it was agreed that macadamia farm gate price be set at Ksh. 100 per kilogram a move intended to protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen and ensure consistent returns amid fluctuating market conditions.
It was also noted that predictable pricing will encourage increased production and long-term investment in macadamia farming.
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To support the implementation of the agreed pricing framework, the Agriculture and Food Authority, in conjunction with the MACNUT Association of Kenya, will spearhead nationwide sensitization campaigns, focus on educating farmers about the farm gate price guidelines, strengthening compliance, and promoting transparency across the value chain.
Additionally, AFA is developing a traceability system to ensure macadamia produce can be tracked from the farm to the market. The Acting DG said that aggregators will be required to present prove of where to whom Macadamia nuts were purchased.
The system is expected to enhance quality assurance, improve compliance with national and international standards, and eliminate fraudulent practices that have undermined the sector’s growth.
Farmers were also advised to adopt best post-harvest practices, including the use of quality Dehuskers that do not crack nuts and cause losses. AFA and MACNUT will further lead publicity and capacity-building initiatives to equip farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge, signalling a coordinated push to strengthen Kenya’s macadamia brand.
By Juma Ndigo
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