North Bengal University Launches Macadamia Nut Cultivation Initiative In Darjeeling

Kopham Department, located in the North Bengal University of West Bengal’s Darjeeling, has launched an initiative to cultivate the Macadamia nuts. According to Local18 Bengal, the department has completed research on how the farmers working on the hills can earn their living by cultivating.

Amarendra Pandey, divisional in-charge of the Kopham Department, talked more about their initiative. According to Pandey,” We always try to find out new methods of farming for farmers. This time, I am cultivating macadamia nuts, thinking about how people can become financially independent in the Darjeeling’s hill area.” It is happening for the first time. Kopham Department has concluded that the farmers can earn massive profits by planting these nuts. This income surplus is more compared to the cultivation of other nuts, including cashews. As per the reports, the department wanted to find out how the farmers can earn funds in comparatively less time. This prompted them to start the cultivation of the Macadamia nuts.

According to him, one kg of Macadamia nuts costs about Rs 3,000. Amarendra said that if he and his department are successful in cultivating this nut on the hill, then the youth living here will not have to travel to the city for work. The divisional-in-charge said that then they would be able to grow these nuts themselves and become financially independent. He said that this nut variety takes about four years to bear fruit. but this is worth the wait once it starts yielding fruits. Amarendra said that the cultivation of this almond variety is highly profitable for the farmers. The temperature conditions (below 30 degrees Celsius) in Darjeeling are also favourable for the growth of fruits in Macadamia nuts trees.

Till now, 100 saplings of these rare nuts have been planted in Chimney, a Himalayan hamlet 8km from Kurseong. Besides Darjeeling, Macadamia nuts are also cultivated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Pune.

Macadamia nuts are revered for their buttery texture and rich flavour and stand out as a nutritional powerhouse. They are packed with monounsaturated fats, including Omega-9 and Omega-7, and promote heart health. They are versatile in consumption, and offer a delightful blend of taste and nutrition, making them a sought-after addition to a healthy lifestyle.