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afrol.com, 1 November - Yesterday, the African Development Fund (ADF) approved a loan of US$ 12.83 million to finance a cashew development project in Ghana. While cashew production has decreased in other African countries, Ghanaian production is projected to increase tenfold. The project objective is to improve living standards of the rural population by generating rural employment in order to contribute to poverty reduction, and earn foreign exchange for the country, according to a statement from ADF. It specifically seeks to increase cashew production in five regions (Northern, Upper West, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Greater Accra regions). While commercial farming, especially cocoa, has long traditions in Ghana, cashew production is modest. Today, it involves some 18,000 ha cultivated. As cashew nuts grow on trees, investments are relatively high, and years pass before the area cultivated produces an outcome. Further, the plants need constant care. Examples from Mozambique, a former major cashew producer before the civil war, underline this. However, cashew prices in general are favourable. It is foreseen that the project will contribute to increase cashew nut processing in Ghana from the present capacity of 210 metric tonnes to about 2,000 metric tonnes per year. The capacity for cashew research and delivery of extension services will be enhanced. About 1,120 jobs in processing facilities, 20,000 farm holders, 40 nurseries and 40,000 seasonal jobs will be created. The project expects US $ 19.2 million income generation per year of foreign exchange starting from year nine after the start of project implementation. The project outputs will include among others, the training of cashew farmers, nursery tree growers and processors as well as the expansion of area under cashew production from 18,000 ha to about 36,000 ha. The project will also involve the establishment of 20 ha clonal garden, the increase of the number of small scale cashew producers from 6,500 to 20,000 and micro cashew units from 7 to 32.
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