AGRICULTURAL
Niche market
Nuts
about Pecans
Pecan nut farming requires a lot of time, careful effort and high costs, but the profit
potential is impressive.
By Kefiloe Manthata
Senwes Graduate
W
ith the rise of the information
age, people are gaining
access to more facts about
nutrition and how best to
sustain healthy habits that promote long
life and higher productivity. Nuts are at the
forefront of this new wave as the snack
of choice for those adopting better eating
habits to be more health-conscious.
Since this trend is growing and gaining
momentum, and pecan nut export figures
are on a steady rise, what better niche
market for producers to explore than
pecan nut farming? It is said that income
that comes from just two pecan nut trees
is equivalent to that which comes from
36
SENWES SCENARIO | SUMMER 2018
one ton of maize.
When initially establishing a pecan nut
orchid, it is advisable to start during the
colder winter months (July and August)
and to ensure that the trees are not plan
ted too shallow, as that is usually the main
cause of pecan nut trees drying out and
dying.
While the winter is perfect for the bud-
ding stages, the South African long hot
summer climate is ideal for growing these
nuts to the point of harvest.
There are several cultivars and some
fare better than others. The most common
varieties suitable for the western parts
of South Africa are Navaho, Wichita and
Choctaw. Witchita is a hybrid between
Halbert and Mohah. The nuts are of me
dium size, attractive appearance, high
quality and have a high kernel percentage.
The Choctaw is the most widely used culti-
var with an index of 100.
Pecans are susceptible to scab so
great care has to be taken throughout the
growing process to ensure that the trees
remain in good, healthy condition until
harvest.
Fertilisation with ample quantities of
zinc is therefore vital as soon as the tree
starts to bear fruit. The trees get most of
the moisture they need from the soil in
which they are planted, so be sure that
the soil is wet, sandy or loamy.
Pecan farming requires patience.
Bearing happens gradually, lightly at first
and then gaining momentum as the tree
matures. A single tree can mature for up to
twenty years. It is a long-term investment.
One that, with care and paying attention to
export trends, will pay off beautifully.