Africa’s cashew industry gets boost with master training programme for value chain development in Sunyani

The African Cashew Alliance (ACA), in collaboration with the Market Oriented Value Chains for Jobs and Growth in the ECOWAS Region (MOVE), Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), has launched a comprehensive Master Training Programme (MTP) for Cashew Value Chain Promotion.

The initiative, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), is currently underway in Sunyani, the capital of Ghana’s Bono Region.

Bringing together 103 participants from eight countries, the programme is themed “Improved Planting Materials and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)” and serves as a high-level capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the cashew industry across Africa. Participants are being trained in key areas including production, processing, marketing, and policy through a balanced approach of classroom learning and practical field applications.

In her opening remarks, Madam Beate Weiskop, Project Manager of GIZ/MOVE, ComCashew, highlighted the programme’s focus on sustainability and innovation. She said the training would help participants understand “sustainable production systems, integrated pest and disease management and additional income generation through carbon management, among others.”

Touching on gender inclusivity, Madam Weiskop emphasized the commitment to equitable participation. “We firmly believe that the cashew sector can only achieve global competitiveness when women and men are equally participating and contributing to the development of the Value Chain,” she stated. She encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to deepen their expertise and expand their networks.

Dr. Owusu Domfeh, Executive Director of CRIG, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to developing high-yielding and pest-resilient cashew varieties. He underscored the importance of connecting research to farming communities through effective extension services and noted that gender inclusion, facilitation techniques, and the development of training materials remain essential pillars for a sustainable cashew sector.

Speaking to the theme of the event, Dr. Domfeh said, “The African continent produces over 60% of the global raw cashew nut (RCN), and the sustainability of production hinges on the combined use of improved planting material, sound agronomic practices, and climate-smart innovations.”

Dr. Andrew Osei-Okrah, CEO of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), lauded the initiative, describing it as a critical step in building the technical and entrepreneurial capacities necessary to unlock Africa’s cashew potential. He said the programme aligns seamlessly with TCDA’s mission of supporting the development of Ghana’s tree crop subsector.

Mr. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, Bono Regional Minister, echoed the need for bold reforms and investments in the cashew industry. While recognizing Africa as a leading producer of cashew nuts, he lamented the region’s low returns due to limited local processing and value addition. He emphasized that “innovation, investment and capacity building across the value chain” are essential to unlocking the industry’s full economic potential.

He proudly acknowledged Bono Region’s central role in Ghana’s cashew economy and described the crop as more than just a cash earner. It is, he said, “a livelihood for thousands of farmers, processors, traders, and exporters.” He reiterated the government's commitment to supporting the sector through reforms, infrastructure improvements, and private sector collaboration.

Highlighting an overlooked resource, Mr. Akwaboa drew attention to the economic potential of unused cashew apples. “As a new Regional Minister, the little search I have done on the cashew product indicates that the cashew fruits can be used to produce bread, wine, fertilizer, poultry feed and other products to enhance the transformation of our local economy,” he said.

Upon completion of the programme, participants are expected to return to their countries equipped with improved knowledge and skills to serve as trainers and champions of innovation across the cashew value chain. The training covers a wide range of topics including raw nut production, processing, market access, value addition, and financing.

Participants were drawn from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, representing a regional commitment to strengthening Africa’s position in the global cashew industry.