The department of agriculture in Nakuru County has continued with its initiative of facilitating farmers to venture into crop diversification by incorporating macadamia farming into the project..
Already the Directorate of Agriculture has distributed 12,000 macadamia seedlings to more than 600 farmers in Rongai, Njoro, Subukia, Bahati and Kuresoi North sub counties.
According to the County Government , the Crop Diversification Program is not only aimed at uplifting the living standards of the farmers but also contributing to food and nutrition security in the county .
The diversification program aims at helping smallholder farmers develop robust, highly productive and sustainable farm enterprises.
The high valued fruit crop which is highly resistant to diseases, gives up to 50 kgs a tree and has a high maturity rate of 3-4 years as opposed to non-grafted that grows with 8 or more years.
The County also plans to make follow up visits to review and analyze the success of the crop previously distributed to and link farmers with processing markets for export.
Last year 2,000 macadamia seedlings were distributed to about 100 farmers in Gilgil and Rongai sub counties.
Other crops that the county is encouraging farmers to plant include avocado, pears among others.
The county has also invested millions of shillings to support farmers grow soya and other grains.