THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said farmers, particularly those based in Luzon, could consider the production of macadamia plant as an alternative cash crop due to its relatively low input capital.
“Considering further that macadamia production has a relatively low input requirement, it could be promoted as a cash crop for small farmers, and a potential crop in areas with inadequate irrigation systems or rainfall due to its relative tolerance to drought,” the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) said in a recent statement.
“In fact, macadamia plantings were also reported in the Ilocos region, a relatively dry area,” the BAR said.
The BAR, an attached agency of the DA, said based on their investment analysis, a hectare of macadamia orchard would require an initial capital of P205,000.
“Positive returns could be realized in the sixth year with projected gross margin of P591,800 from the 10th year onward a return on investment of 200 percent,” the BAR said.
BAR said it is currently conducting a research and development (R&D) project with the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-Baguio National Crop Research Development and Production Support Center (BPI-BNCRDPSC) to develop and promote the commercial production of macadamia nuts in Luzon.
“The project ‘Macadamia Conservation, Propagation and Commercialization in Luzon’ targets to increase local macadamia production; improve farming systems and biodiversity through the integration of macadamia production; and make available quality macadamia seedlings,” the BAR said.
“In achieving these, the project will characterize, evaluate and conserve existing macadamia trees in Luzon; develop appropriate propagation methods; develop appropriate nursery management technologies; produce quality planting materials; and promote production through the establishment of a demonstration orchard and the dissemination of information materials,” the BAR said.
The BAR said their project has verified the adaptibility of macadamia trees in Baguio City conditions. The BAR added the eight fully grown macadamia trees, aged about 15 years old, planted at the BPI-Baguio experimental station, have been fruiting year-round.
“The trees show good promise of locally grown macadamia for commercial production,” the BAR said.
“Macadamia has the potential for commercial production, either as a cash crop or as a component of agroforestry systems. The introduction of macadamia into the existing production systems will enhance food production and biodiversity and industry development from its products and by-products,” the BAR said.
The BAR said the project has been conducting ongoing verification trials on germination, grafting techniques and use of cuttings for propagation are being done in the experimental station. The BAR said the involved researchers are experimenting on several viable nursery management technologies using different potting media and soil additives.
“About 500 cuttings set under intermittent mist are now in the callous stage, which will eventually produce roots. A total of 150 seedlings were asexually propagated and are being maintained through regular watering, fertilizer application, and pest and disease management,” the BAR said. “The existing trees in the station are being maintained as sources of scions for grafting of seedlings and cuttings for propagation. The harvested nuts are used for seedling production.”
The attached agency of the DA said a total of 1,007 seedlings have already been produced out of their project’s target of 1,500 planting materials of macadamia. In addition, 437 macadamia nuts that were sown at the BPI-Baguio experimental station have started to germinate, BAR said.
“The harvesting of macadamia nuts is continuously being done since the existing macadamia trees are bearing continuously,” the BAR said.
The project on macadamia conservation, propagation, and commercialization in Luzon is funded and supported under the National Technology Commercialization Program of DA-BAR.