Practical agricultural training can help smallholder macadamia farmers improve production and meet market quality requirements, but knowledge alone is not always enough. Drawing on the experiences of two farmers and MVC’s 2026 impact assessment of 100 smallholders, this case study explores how improved orchard management and post-harvest practices are contributing to better production, nut quality and farmer returns.
The assessment found that 87% of surveyed farmers adopted at least one promoted harvest or post-harvest practice, while 74% adopted more than three. However, challenges including limited irrigation equipment, theft and dependence on a single buyer continue to affect farmers’ ability to fully benefit from these improvements.
The case highlights the value of practical technical support alongside the need to address wider constraints to sustainable smallholder macadamia production.
