The Ghana National Association of Cashew Farmers has urged the government to expedite the establishment of the Cashew Development Authority to sustain the cashew industry in the country.
The association’s newly elected national president, Moses Kyere Nyansayeh, described President John Dramani Mahama’s proposed Cashew Development Board as a gratifying initiative that will help revive the dying industry and boost production.
According to Nyansayeh, the proposed cashew processing plant will lead to the development of a policy to regulate cashew prices in Ghana, encouraging farmers to increase production and prevent post-harvest losses. This move is expected to address some of the challenges facing cashew farmers in the Bono and Bono East Regions.
The new president of the Ghana National Association of Cashew Farmers, Moses Kyere Nyansayeh outlined a vision for the cashew industry that includes achieving sustainable prices.
To accomplish this, he’s urging the government to fast-track the establishment of a Cashew Development Board and a cashew processing plant. This initiative aims to Regulate Prices where the board will oversee pricing, ensuring farmers receive fair compensation for their produce.
He stressed that, the Local Processing plant will add value to cashews, creating jobs and increasing the industry’s contribution to Ghana’s economy.
Supporting Farmers by providing a structured policy framework, the initiative will encourage farmers to increase production and prevent post-harvest losses.
One major issue affecting cashew farmers is the destruction of their farms without compensation when chiefs and landowners want to demarcate their lands for human settlement. Nyansayeh emphasized the need to address this situation, which demotivates farmers.
The establishment of the Cashew Development Authority and processing plant initiative is expected to complement the government’s efforts to develop the cashew industry.
This move aligns with the Tree Crops Development Authority’s (TCDA) goal of regulating and promoting tree crops, including cashew, in Ghana.
