Jacoma

Large scale irrigated macadamia farming hub, with chilli and paprika outgrower scheme.

Investment information

$9,600,000
Committed investment
Primary production with added-value activity
Primary value chain focus
Committed investment
Primary value chain focus

Expected impact

$840,000
Total annual income for employees
2,500
Smallholder farmers linked to market
$425,000
Total annual income for smallholders
Total annual income for employees
Smallholder farmers linked to market
Total annual income for smallholders

Our role

AgDevCo invested $9.6m in long term loans to develop a 1,400 ha irrigated farming hub of three macadamia farms in Northern Malawi. In addition to its farming operations, Jacoma sources chilli and paprika from local smallholder farmers which it exports globally. The funding also provided 100ha of year-round irrigation to the local community to grow chilli and food crops. 

AgDevCo exited its equity investment in Jacoma in 2024 as part of an investment into Agristar, a South African macadamia farming, processing and global marketing group.

AgDevCo has provided Jacoma with TA for business integrity and HR training and health and safety and Integrated Pest Management support. 

Smart investment and support

Scaling up

The development of irrigated macadamia farms at this scale has been transformational for this rural area of Malawi. Jacoma provides employment to over 730 people and supports more than 2,500 smallholder farmers through its outgrower scheme.

 

Our investments in Malawi

Investment Total invested Start date
Jacoma $9,600,0002014
Kasinthula $4,000,0002019