Cashew production in the northern part of Ghana

English

A survey was conducted in 1997 among farmers in the cashew growing areas of Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions. The study revealed that 98 per cent of the farmers are small-holders who have only recently responded to the promotion of the crop by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Yields of cashew on most farmers fields are very low, resulting from the use of poor quality seed and low yielding cultivars. Ninety-five per cent of the farmers across the regions surveyed intercrop cashew with their usual annual crops. Farmers neither have any recommended cultivars to plant nor do they have information about agronomic practices, such as planting distances and fertilizer rates that should lead to optimum yields. One of the disincentives to cashew production is the complete lack of an organized market in most areas for growers to sell their produce. Future research needs to concentrate on collection, characterization and evaluation of germplasm available in the country in order to identify superior genotypes for recommendation to farmers. Agronomic research is likewise essential since recommended cultivars should go with an optimal crop husbandry package for maximum returns. A rewarding marketing system needs to be developed to sustain production.

Anchirinah, V.; Anno-Nyako, F. O.; Oppong-Konadu, E. Y.; Nutsugah, S. K.