Macadamia to be added to edible oil crops to up returns

State Department for Crop Production Principal Secretary Phillip Harsama. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

The government is considering adding macadamia as one of the key edible oils producing crops to boost local consumption and economic value to farmers, State Department for Crop Production Principal Secretary Phillip Harsama has said.

The PS said the addition of macadamia as an edible oil-producing crop under the National Edible Oil Crops Project, alongside sunflower, canola and soybeans could provide a much-needed cushion for farmers hard hit by the prevailing global glut that has seen prices for the nut plummet to Sh20 down from Sh50 per kilogramme three years ago.