Macadamia tree grows well in subtropical climate conditions and needs good sunlight. Its one kg nut price is more than Rs 2k in India which makes it a high-value crop. Farmers must try this valuable tree at least at the boundaries of their farm.
Quick overview – 120 to 135 plants per acre, yield is around 10 to 15 kg nuts per tree, nuts price per kg is more than 2k in India, the tree produces nuts commercially after 5 to 6 years, needs good water and sunlight and after deducting cost net profit is around Rs 74,31,000.
Tree information
Height – 2m to 12m (7ft to 40 ft).
Leaf – Vertical of 3 to 6, 60 to 300 mm long and 30 to 130 mm broad.
Flowers – Long cylindrical in shape and white pink or purple in colour.
Fruit – Outer shell is hard, woody and globose and contains 1-2 seeds.
How many macadamia trees per acre and farm income
Macadamia trees per acre
With the spacing of 8 x 4 metres, you can easily plant 125-135 macadamia plants on a one-acre farm. Due to full sunlight requirement, dense planting is not worth it in macadamia plantations, hence always try to plant this nut tree with good spacing. Some of the Uganda farmers are planting only 70 to 80 plants with a spacing of 10 by 10 to get a better yield.
With the spacing of 8 x 4 meters around 315 plants can be planted in one hectare of land and with this spacing, some farmers are doing macadamia farming in Australia on a good scale.
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Dense planting is not recommended in this farming because all the trees need a good amount of sunlight. While planting more plants only some plants will get proper sunlight and the rest may get partial sunlight due to the forceful shade provided by the taller trees. It will automatically affect the yield and the nut production might be lower.
Macadamia trees per acre – 125 to 135, spacing 8 x 4 meters.
Macadamia trees per hectare – 315 to 375, spacing 8 x 4 meters.
Macadamia nut is native to North Eastern, New south wales, Central and South Eastern Queensland.
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Farm income per acre
| Farm cost per acre Plant cost = Rs 8 to Rs 200 (depending on variety). Let’s take the plant cost = Rs 100. 1 acre = 135 plants. Plant cost = Rs 100 x 135 plants = Rs 13500. Plant cost = Rs 13500. Labour cost = Rs 20,000. Land preparation cost = Rs 15,000. Manure and fertilizer cost = Rs 7000. Plant protection charges = Rs 6000. Miscellaneous cost = Rs 5000. Total cost 1st year = Rs 53000 (plant cost excluded). Total cost for 6 years = Rs 53000 x 5 years = Rs 2,65,000. Total cost = 1st-year cost + plant cost + 5 year cost. Total 6 year cost = Rs 53000 (1st year) + Rs 13500 (plant cost) + Rs 2,65,000 (5 year cost) = Rs 331500. Total 6 year cost = Rs 331500. |
| Farm profit per acre Macadamia price per kg in India = Rs 2021 to Rs 4000 or more as per variety. Macadamia yield per tree per year = 15 to 35 kg yield per tree per year. Let’s take an average of 23 kg of nuts per tree. Macadamia yield per acre = 135 trees x 23 kg = 3105 kg nuts. Let’s take the average nuts price = Rs 2500 per kg. Profit = Rs 3105 kg nuts x Rs 2500 = Rs 77,62,500. Profit = Rs 77,62,500. Net profit = Profit – Cost. Net Profit = Rs 77,62,500 – Rs 331500 = Rs 74,31,000. |
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Macadamia farming practices
Common names
Queensland nut, bush nut, maroochi nut, hawaii nut, bauple, gyndl, jindilli and bapul nut.
Varieties
Tetraphylla (edible), integrifolia (edible), dwarf macadamia, daddow and a4 macadamia.
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Growing conditions
This nut tree prefers subtropical climate conditions, it likes high summer and low winter temperatures. Sandy loam soil with a good drainage system is ideal for macadamia farming. Australia, Uganda and some other countries are natural growers of this tree due to compatible climate conditions.
Temperature requirements
Early temperature – 20°C to 25°C.
Day and night temperature difference – Around 8°C.
Average summer temperature – 25 to 30-degree celsius.
Average winter temperature – It should be below 19 degrees celsius.
Tree temperature (winters) – Around 20 degrees celsius.
Night blossoming temperature – 19°C.
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Soil requirement
Sandy loam light soil with a good drainage system and well-drained friable soil is good for it. Dig the pit of around 1 m to reduce the chances of trunk disease. Soil ph level should be between 5 to 6.5. Please avoid heavy clay and rocky soil for this plant cultivation.
Propagation methods
It can be propagated through cutting and seed-sowing methods. It will take 4 to 6 years when planted through cuttings whereas 10-12 long years are required after seeds sowing.
Fertilizer
For the first 4 years organic fertilizers are used and in organic fertilizer mulch and cow manure are used preferably. Don’t exceed fertilizer of more than 10 pounds per tree. Provide NPK to your plants in the ratio of 8:10:5.
Organic fertilizer – Rotted cow dung, mulch, leaf mulch compost, granular plant food, algae and rock meal etc.
Tip – Remember to always provide only rotted cow dung not fresh. It is good to provide the 2-year-old rotted cow dung to newly planted plants.
Macadamia farming in India
Macadamia cultivation in India is majorly done in southern regions such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka etc due to good sunlight requirements. It can also grow in northern regions having good sunlight so people living in plain areas of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh can also try this precious cultivation.
FAQ
How many macadamia plants per acre should I plant?
In order to provide them with good sunlight one should plant 120 to 135 plants in a 1-acre farm.
How many kg of macadamia nuts per tree can we get?
15 to 35 kg of nuts per tree per year is achievable after 5 to 6 years.
How long does a macadamia tree take to yield?
You can expect commercial yield after 6 years.
How much does 1 kg of macadamia nuts cost?
Anywhere around Rs 2021 to Rs 4000 or more as per the variety.
Does the macadamia tree need a lot of water to grow?
Yes, it needs a good quantity of water. In hot dry weather, a mature tree can use 350 litres of water in a week.
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