Kenya’s macadamia sector took a giant leap forward this week as key stakeholders gathered at the First National Macadamia Conference hosted at Embu University.
The event was graced by Deputy President H.E. Prof. Kithure Kindiki and notable figures including Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh Paul, CBS, underscoring the government’s renewed commitment to transforming Kenya into a global leader in macadamia production and value addition.
A Sector of Strategic Importance
As the fourth-largest exporter globally and second in Africa, Kenya’s macadamia industry is emerging as a crucial pillar of the rural economy.
It currently supports over 200,000 smallholder farmers and sustains approximately 30,000 jobs through more than 40 processing facilities nationwide.
Recognizing its potential, the government has committed to strategic interventions aimed at boosting productivity, reducing production costs, and enhancing value addition to maximize benefits for farmers and investors alike.
A major highlight of the conference was the unveiling of the Embu County Aggregation and Industrial Park. This ambitious project is designed to bolster processing capacity locally, attract both domestic and international investments, and facilitate access to lucrative global markets.
The initiative aims to position Kenya as a competitive force in the global macadamia value chain, capitalizing on the crop’s high market demand.
Kenya is not only focused on increasing volume but also on elevating quality, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusivity across the sector.
The government’s comprehensive approach aims to create wealth, empower communities, and position Kenya as a leader in the high-value nut industry. This vision aligns with national goals of agricultural transformation and rural development, promising better returns for farmers and sustainable sectoral growth.
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