Our Projects
Our development projects aim to foster dignity of people in an unjust world, mitigate the consequences of global ecological imbalance and provide help to sustainable self-help. For this reason, we support economic and environmental activities that empower farmers, outgrowers and workers to improve their livelihood.
MACADAMIA
Kenya
In 2010 Integra founded the world’s first fair trade value chain for macadamia nuts in Kenya. Since then, the activities have extended to cashew and dried fruit, now engaging approximately 23,000 farmers in our value chain. Currently, the GROW. processing factory in Kilifi has the capacity to process and ship up to 6 containers (85 MT) of processed macadamia nuts per month.
MACADAMIA
Ethiopia
In 2018 Integra initiated the introduction of macadamia to Ethiopia, where it has not grown in the past. Scientists anticipate that there will be a decline in production of Ethiopian arabica coffee due to climate change. Therefore, we are distributing seedlings to coffee farmers as a future supplemental cash crop. Recently, we have completed a pilot project of introduction of 85,000 macadamia seedlings from Kenya.
CASHEW
Kenya
This four-year development project aims to renew a formerly strong value chain for the export of cashew nuts from Kenya to international markets. Above all, the goal is to create a world class value chain and permanently improve the livelihoods of 30,000 rural small holder farmers in the depressed coastal regions of Kenya.
BEEKEEPING
Ethiopia
In 2020 Integra founded a new social enterprise – Ten Senses Ethiopia (TSE). Together with TSE, we have introduced an apiculture program for farmers who are recipients of macadamia seedlings in the Oromia region. Beekeeping will provide another supplemental source of income for farmers as well as enhanced pollination for the trees. In addition, we have created new job opportunities for women formerly excluded from beekeeping.