Reaping of unripe nut now banned

Immature macadamia nuts that have been banned by Ministry of Agriculture.

A Government agency has begun enforcing a ban on the harvest of immature macadamia nuts.

The Agriculture Food Authority (AFA) wants farmers to wait until the nuts are mature enough so as to safeguard their quality for the export market.

Harvesting rampant

The agency will be making sure the nuts will only be harvested between February 15 and November 30 every year.

Last week, the Directorate of Nuts and Oil Crops, which works under AFA, dispatched an enforcement unit to the Mt Kenya region to check if the ban was being observed. That came as a result of information that farmers in Embu and Meru counties were not keenly observing it got to the department.

AFA had learnt that harvesting of the nuts was specifically rampant in Kariene, Githeu and Mikinduri areas of Meru County.

Interim head of the Directorate Richard Ndegwa issued the circular enforcing the ban on December 10.

Mr Ndegwa explained that a meeting of all macadamia growers and marketers was held three years ago, and that was when the decision to come up with the ban was made.

The circular now directs all the processors and marketing agents to abide by the laid down regulations.

Extracting gold

“Marketing agents and processors are notified that harvesting seasons will start on February 15, next year and end on November 30,” read the circular.

Chairman of Nut Traders Association of Kenya Johnstone Kihara said the ban was necessary since farmers could now be sure to get good profits next year.

While speaking in Kandara, Mr Kihara said there was need for a level playing ground for players in the agricultural sector. He called for the removal of Section 43 of the crops Act 2013, which bars the export of non-processed macadamia.

“My team has been in support of the regulator’s directive of assisting farmers to earn more,” Kihara said.