Macadamia farming

Macadamia Farming:

Macadamia farming requires careful site selection, soil preparation, and proper management to ensure high yields. The key steps in macadamia farming include:

• Climate & Soil: Macadamia trees thrive in subtropical climates with well-drained, slightly acidic soils.
• Planting & Spacing: Trees should be spaced adequately (8-10 meters apart) to allow proper growth.
• Irrigation & Nutrition: Consistent watering and fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential.
• Pest & Disease Control: Common pests include nut borers and stink bugs, while fungal diseases can affect production.
• Harvesting: Nuts are harvested when they naturally fall to the ground, then collected and processed.

Macadamia Processing:

Processing macadamia nuts involves several steps to ensure quality and market readiness:

1. Dehusking: Fresh nuts are dehusked within 24 hours of harvesting to prevent deterioration.
2. Drying: Nuts are air-dried to reduce moisture content, enhancing flavor and shelf life.
3. Cracking: The hard shells are carefully cracked to extract the kernel without damage.
4. Grading & Sorting: Kernels are sorted based on size, color, and quality for different market categories.
5. Roasting & Packaging: The nuts can be roasted and packaged for sale in domestic and export markets.