Prospects for Macadamia nuts farming in Nepal

Kushal GurungContact: grgkushal@gmail.com

What is Macadamia nuts

• Evergreen tree: 6-40ft tall• Bears edible nuts • Fruiting start age: 4-5

years till 65 years• Total life: 85 years• Originated from New

South Wales, Australia “australian bush nut”

• Grown in Hawai, South Africa, Brazil too

Step 1: soak seed in wet sand for one month

Step 2: after one month seed will turn into seedling

Step 3: sow the seedling into soil

Step 4: after four month seedling turns into sapling

Step 5: clear location to plant the sapling

Step 6: This is one year old plant

Step 7: This is macadamia tree with flower

Step 8: This is 8-year old tree

Step 9: Makadamia orchard

Step 10: Makademia tree starts bearing fruits since age of 4-5 years

Step 11: fruit begins to crack once it is ripe, exposing its nutshell

Step 12: Nut could be eaten raw or further processed to make high-end products like

chocolate and oil

Macadamia in Nepal

• Started in 1964 from Trishuli Bagbani, Nuwakot

• Currently grown in Pokhara and Syanja too• Cultivation range: 300 m to 1500 m elevation;

optimum range is 900m to 1400m• 1 sapling: Rs 75 - 150• 1 kg nuts: Rs 400 – 600• 150 gm nuts packet: Rs 600

Why is suitable for Nepal?

BECAUSE:• Can be grown anywhere in mid-hills• Monkey doesn’t like it; cattle don’t eat it• Less labour intensive • Rainfed water is sufficient• Suitable for undercover farming, esp coffee• High value crop

Thank you!