President Akufo Addo in February, launched a new ten year cashew development plan.

The plan, is largely aimed at improving the production levels of the cash crop and increase the revenue from exporting it.

The plan also involves supplying improved seedlings and giving financial support to underperforming cashew processing companies.

According to the CEO of the GEPA, Gifty Klenam, these interventions should rake in about four billion dollars from the cashew sector and reverse the balance of trade deficit.

“We are putting so many things in place such as the ten year development plan for cashew that the President recently launched. We are looking at cashew alone giving us about forty percent of the overall target and for that matter, we are putting in so much effort into cashew production in terms of the seedlings development which is very crucial. Because if you are producing a product and you get it wrong from the seedling, the yield will be affected.”

Madam Gifty Klenam also disclosed that the outfit will commence a spraying exercise in October this year which will improve yields from the crop.

“Already, the yields that we were expecting to get from the existing plants we are not getting that is how come we started with the spraying of cashew farms in 2017. In October this year too, we are going to spray the cashew farms so we are able to at least increase production by three times.”

Meanwhile the GEPA has organized a market research training workshop for exporters.

The exercise is to expose the businesses to opportunities in the export industry and address some peculiar challenges that confront them in their line of work.

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post New cashew plan to boost revenue by $ 4bn – GEPA appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They fear the industry could suffer a similar fate if mistakes in the management of the cocoa sector are repeated.

The comments come on the back of increased contribution of cashew to Ghana’s export revenue despite the little attention.

Anita Arthur has been finding out what can be done to ensure the sector thrives.

Click to listen to full audio report.

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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Boosting cashew industry:farmers urge active engagement (Audio) appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President said this plan seeks to improve research methods, introduce appropriate production and processing technologies, as well as develop marketing strategies along the cashew production value chain.

The production of cashew in Ghana is currently around 55,000 tonnes per annum.

Speaking at the launch of the plan at Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo Region, the President said the initiative will massively improve the livelihood of farmers in the country.

“I reiterated my commitment to assist in diversifying Ghanaian agriculture transforming among others cashew, into a major cash crop and foreign exchange earner for Ghana,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

He also noted the gains made in the first phase of his government’s Planting for Food and Jobs programme, which led to an increase in the production of staples, as well as the creation of thousands of jobs in the rural economy.

President Akufo-Addo noted that this development has encouraged government to increase the scope of the programme.

“By all accounts, the first year of the program for Planting for Food and Jobs, which involved some 200,000 farmers has been successful,” he declared.

MMDAs to oversee seedling production

As part of the plan to boost the production of cashew, the Rural Development Department of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, will be spearheading the initial production of seedlings for the cultivation of cashew.

“Under the Planting for Export and Rural Development (PERD) project, all 216 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives have been given oversight responsibility for the production of not only cashew seedlings, but also for seedlings of oil palm, shea, cotton, rubber and coffee, for distribution to farmers from next year [2019],” the President outlined.

President Akufo-Addo expressed hope that this would be the first step in creating more jobs “in addition to an increase in yield.”

The Ghana Export Promotion Authority also commissioned a cashew mass spraying exercise, which involves the provision of GH¢1.6 million for the spraying of some 30,000 hectares of cashew plantations.

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By: Mashoud Kombat & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmoline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo launches 10-year cashew development plan appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The aim of this unique Master Training Program, is to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African cashew experts along the value chain and thus to further promote the competitiveness of African cashew.

The program provides a platform for 75 cashew experts coming from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia to share knowledge, discuss best practices and lessons learnt as well as to build national and regional networks for future collaboration.

Returning to their host institutions, the participants will have a multiplier effect on the cashew industry when sharing their knowledge and experiences gained by attending this tailor-made training.

During knowledge sharing sessions of theories and their application, participants learn about all aspects of the cashew value chain from production and processing of raw cashew nuts, to economics, cashew market dynamics, marketing and financing mechanisms.

The second session in Sunyani will mainly focus on Improved Planting Material development, establishment of new plantations and design of adult training programme among others. Participants will be introduced to Monitoring and Evaluation and Gender and Cashew value chain promotion. At each session, there is a combination of topics on self-reflection and perception management and on behaviors and values that affect learning and teaching skills. The highlight of this session will be a field visit to the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) research station and farm visits in the cashew production areas around Sunyani.

“The Cashew Master Training Programme is an important “next step” in the concerted collaborative efforts and work done by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Cocoa Research Institute, ComCashew and the African Cashew Alliance to improve the Cashew sector in Ghana.” – Hon. Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta regional minister.

In the words of Mr. Ernest Mintah Acting MD of the African Cashew Alliance (ACA), “…Investing in the cashew business is a necessity, but knowledge to run your business is vital. Master trainers have, since the inception of this programme, become the compass that will take cashew business to a globally competitive level…”

Seven months. Three sessions. Three locations

Rolled out in seven months, the Master Training Program is divided in three successive sessions to be held in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. In so called “inter-sessions”, the participants return to their host institutions to conduct field work, either individually or in groups, to deepen knowledge on a selected topic. After completion of the program, the participants become acknowledged cashew experts. They either train farmers, provide assistance to processors, or advice institutions in their home countries. At the heart of the Master Training Program are facilitators and technical experts who teach, evaluate and potentially re-design each training session according to participants’ needs. The training contents are developed with great support and commitment from various ComCashew partners.  They use stimulating presentations, interactive role plays and lively discussions to deliver trainings.

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Source: Competitive Cashew initiative

The post ComCashew holds training program in cashew value chain promotion appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.