Emmanuel J. Zuza

Support my tree planting initiative

Rumphi & Mzimba, northern Malawi

From tobacco to macadamia, one tree at a time

I'm planting a working farm in northern Malawi to show what macadamia agroforestry can do. Macadamia and other trees grow alongside beans, maize and other food crops, so the land keeps feeding families while the orchard matures.

The farm will become a farmer field school for macadamia agroforestry and general farming: a proof of concept that helps communities in Rumphi and Mzimba diversify from tobacco into macadamia nuts.

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A young macadamia tree in evening light, with pine saplings in rows behind it
The young orchard, June 2026

Why macadamia?

Tobacco has long been the main cash crop for many farming families in northern Malawi. Macadamia offers another path.

A crop that lasts

Macadamia is a long-lived tree crop. Once established, an orchard can produce nuts for decades, giving families a steadier source of income.

Food and trees together

Planting beans, maize and other crops between the tree rows keeps food on the table while the trees grow, and legumes help feed the soil.

Climate and carbon

Trees store carbon, shade the soil and reduce erosion. Over time, the farm aims to earn carbon credits that reward farmers for keeping trees standing.

Stronger together

A macadamia cooperative can help smallholders share knowledge, buy inputs, and sell their nuts on better terms.

Where the farm is heading

Five stages, from seedlings to a community-owned macadamia future.

  1. Under way

    Plant the farm

    Macadamia and companion trees planted alongside food crops.

  2. Future

    Proof of concept

    Show neighbouring farmers that diversifying from tobacco works.

  3. Future

    Carbon credits

    Sell verified carbon credits from the trees on the farm.

  4. Future

    Training hub & cooperative

    A training centre and a macadamia cooperative for Rumphi and Mzimba.

Watch it grow

Photos from the farm, oldest first.

A staked macadamia seedling growing among young legume plants
Mar 2025Young macadamia among legumes
A macadamia seedling with dry grass mulch around its base in red soil
Jul 2025Mulched for the dry season
Pine seedlings planted along freshly prepared ridges
Oct 2025Seedlings on fresh ridges
A young macadamia tree in red soil with mountains behind
Feb 2026Macadamia taking hold
Rows of young bean plants between mulched ridges, with cloud-topped mountains
Feb 2026Beans between the tree rows
A macadamia seedling on a ridge between bean plants
Feb 2026Trees and food crops side by side
A bushy pine sapling with a maize field behind it
Feb 2026Pine sapling beside the maize
A wide view of ridged fields after harvest, with mountains and clouds
May 2026Ridges ready after harvest
A bushy macadamia sapling glowing in low sunlight
Jun 2026A macadamia putting on growth
A tall pine sapling standing in a field at sunset
Jun 2026Saplings growing tall

Help the orchard grow

Whether you can give, partner or simply spread the word, there's a way to be part of it.

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Make a contribution through Buy Me a Coffee and help the trees and the field school grow.

Support the trees

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NGOs, companies, carbon market partners, researchers and buyers interested in macadamia from northern Malawi.

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Grow a macadamia tree

Five questions about my work. Each right answer grows the tree. Stuck? The answers are all somewhere on this site.

Let's work together

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Moments from the field

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