Odetta Chimwaza – Macadamia Nuts project
Odetta Chimwaza comes from Timothy village in Traditional Authority Thomas in Thyolo district. She is one of the Farmers’ Club members that are growing Macadamia Nuts in Thyolo district under the Macadamia Nuts Value Chain Enhancement project. She has planted 100 Macadamia Nuts trees which she received through the project.
She says she has learnt about intercropping in Macadamia Nuts fields with crops like legumes to ensure maximum utilization of land. Apart from intercropping, the farmers clubs were encouraged to establish Village Savings and Loan (VSL) groups in order to cultivate a money saving culture.
“I know about intercropping and saving money through VSLs now. When I sell my legumes I save part of the money through the our VSL and in December 2020 I have managed to buy a cow, I can say this project has already started yielding the results and I will be able to make money for myself and my family,” she explained.
The Macadamia Nuts project is in its 5th year of implementation working with 3000 farmers in Thyolo and Mzimba districts. The farmers to grow 100 tree seedlings each and sell Macadamia Nuts in the future.
