NESMAC
Company Name: Neno Smallholder Macadamia Association
Products: Macadamia Nuts
The Neno Smallholder Macadamia Association (NESMAC) works with macadamia nut growers from Neno and the surrounding area. The large numbers of farmers involved in macadamia nut growing are organized in a system of democratic farmers' clubs.
The organization trains farmers to be model farmers who are then able to pass on this training to others in their community. This allows expertise to be shared without the need for a fully funded project and has enabled a 'trainer of trainers' programme to be established and developed. Such emphasis on member/ beneficiary skill improvement has moved the organisation closer to being much more sustainable and credible. Growers Clubs are provided with information and training once crops of nuts are being produced.
The setting of smallholder prices is transparent and controlled by the farmers themselves. Not only do the farmers take responsibility for the quality of their crops they are wholly engaged in the quality of trading.
Macadamia was introduced to this part of Malawi in the early 1990's by David Emmott when a private nursery was established and a few trees were brought from estates for establishment. The trees sparked interest as Macadamia is a high value nut and there is a high demand for the nut in Malawi. This small planting was furthered by demonstration gardens being planted along the road side and in fields of prominent Neno farmers and social facilitators. Demand for the trees over the following few years continued to increase and the lone nursery was unable to supply the demand for trees. A small scale project was designed to establish support services to the macadamia farmers. Since 2000 the nucleus of 90 macadamia farmers associated with NESMAC has grown to 487 members and they have established 8,467 macadamia trees.
Company Address
Email: chair at nenomacadamiatrust dot co dot uk
Phone: 01723 871 206
Website: www.nenomacadamiatrust.co.uk
Key Contact People
Chair: David EmmottManager: Andrew Emmot
Treasurer: Nick Marshall