Livestock and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe with Macadamia farmers at a forum in Nyeri. Photo/Mount Kenya Times
By Daisy Okiring
The Macadamia Nut Processors Association of Kenya (MNPAK) and local farmers have dismissed claims that recent government policies have caused a drop in macadamia prices from Ksh 150 to Ksh 90 per kilo. The association maintains that the price shift is due to market forces and unscrupulous brokers rather than government intervention.
Following a three-day workshop to review the directive by Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, MNPAK Chairperson Jane Maigua assured farmers that the government’s policy aims to protect their earnings and stabilize the industry.
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“The government policy will help farmers by ensuring no one is paid below Ksh 100 per kilo of macadamia. The negative narrative is being pushed by brokers who had stockpiled raw macadamia for export,” Maigua stated.
Support policy
She urged farmers to support the policy, which bans the sale of unprocessed macadamia, saying it will boost local job creation. She also warned against unscrupulous dealers attempting to manipulate farmers.
“Farmers should beware of individuals trying to create chaos in the industry for their own selfish gains,” she emphasized.
Macadamia farmer Francis Kipsang lauded the government’s focus on exports and value addition, stating that it will ensure better returns for farmers.
A game changer
“Macadamia is a game-changer for us. We must safeguard this crop to benefit from it,” Kipsang said.
In Nyeri County, James Muturi, Chair of the Agriculture CECM’s Caucus, called for strict enforcement of the ban on raw macadamia exports to China. He encouraged local processors to increase their capacity to handle more production, arguing that local processing will enhance value addition, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.
“Our processors can handle more than the current output. If we boost local processing, we will create jobs and build a stronger economy,” Muturi explained.
The government has advised farmers not to sell immature macadamia, warning that doing so could compromise quality, lead to poor pricing, and even result in bans from the European market.
