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Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and Afro-India Technology & Societal Transformation (AITST) Foundation have signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate the introduction of modern technologies and scientific methods along the cashew value chain.

GEPA, in collaboration with the private sector, is implementing a 10-Year Cashew Development Plan aimed at developing the cashew industry and supporting rural enterprise development in Ghana; as well as diversifying Ghana’s cash crop base from dependence on cocoa.

The MOU with AITST Foundation seeks to establish mutually beneficial or “win-win” collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders in the cashew industry in Ghana through technology and machinery support for the government’s ten years cashew development plan.

Gifty Klenam who is the Chief Executive Officer for GEPA said the agreement is in line with the commitment of the government’s quest to support smallholders’ farmers in the Agricultural value chain.

“The agreement, will, place farmers first in bringing modern technology, to enhance production and processing of cashew, for increased export and revenue for Ghana,” she said.

AITST Foundation is an initiative by the African and Indian leaders chaired by Mahesh Patel, Executive Chairman of ETG to ensure Sub-Saharan Africa emerges as a truly global food provider by 2030.

Its core objective is to bring modern and cutting-edge technology interventions, from smallholder farmers to governments of Sub-Saharan Africa at all stages of Agric-value chains.

GEPA and Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture are the official partners of our Agri Value Chain Development Conference,  Meet The Farmers Conference (MTFC) which will hold across four African Countries and in Dubai, UAE with the focus on The Future of Agribusiness.

The post GEPA Signs MoU With AITST to Boost Cashew Production In Ghana With Modern Technologies appeared first on MTFC | Meet The Farmers Conference - Nov 2019 - Dubai UAE.

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Tola Faseru, National President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, has said that the production of cashew has expanded from around 90,000 metric tons in 2011 to 220,000 metric tons at the finish of 2017 translating to about $402million.

“The earning has increased tremendously, the earnings in 2011 were about $48 to $50 million annually but as at 2017, we have reached $402 million. What it means is that the value of Nigerian cashew has increased.”

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While speaking with newsmen recently, Faseru said; “In 2011, our production was about 90,000 metric tons, today, as at the end of 2017, we have reached 220,000 metric tonnes.  For us, that is a major breakthrough. That is more than doubled what the production was from 2011 to 2017. Barring all issues of climate change and all of that, for us, that is a major effort.”

“In 2011, we were talking of something in the region of between $300 and $500 per ton. Today, we are talking about $1800 and we have explored an upward trend in the marketability and acceptability of the Nigerian cashew across the world.”

“In the past, a farmer was selling at the local price of N30,000 to N40, 000 per ton,  but today, the farmer can sell  at about N300,000 per ton. “Thus, our farmers are now living a decent life; they provide shelter for themselves, have good cars and that had encouraged them to plant more. By and large, it has encouraged them to take good care of their farms.” He stated.

Faseru maintained also that the reasons for the growth in the sector is the sensitisations and trainings given to the local farmers. “We have given farmers trainings on how to store their cashew properly, they are able to first of all put in best agricultural practices; they are able to do what they call proper harvesting which is critical to the yield and to the quality.”

“Farmers are able to dry cashew properly; most importantly, they are able to package it well. When we came in, cashew nuts were usually packaged in polythene bags and we said this will kill the quality because the cashew will not have proper air to breathe because it will get heated up and what will happen is for the cashew to spoil. “So, we said jute bags should be the way. Jute bags give way for air to flow in and out, the cashew farmers have imbibed that as well.”

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The post Nigeria Gains $402m From Cashew in 2017 appeared first on MTFC | Meet The Farmers Conference - Nov 2019 - Dubai UAE.