The African Cashew initiative (ACi) has improved product quality and optimized the supply chains. Rural development played an important role at the European Development Days.
Small farmers in Africa produce around 40 percent of the entire cashew crop. But the low quality of the cashew nuts, low productivity and lack of organization cause cashew farmers to have a weak bargaining position and a low income. And in addition, less than ten percent of the cashews are further processed in Africa. A large part of the profit made with cashews therefore passes Africa by.
In order to improve the situation of farmers and producers, the African Cashew initiative (ACi) was established. The program is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In five countries the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) consults and trains cashew producers, helping them to meet international quality standards and to increase their income, in order to secure their livelihoods. Thus far the African Cashew initiative has supported more than 333,000 small farmers in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Mozambique. The quality of the cashews could be greatly improved.
Goal: New jobs in the cashew production
Another aim of the initiative is to create new jobs in the cashew production, and improve access to local and international markets. Already around 5,800 jobs, especially for women, have been created. The connection of the farmers to local processors and cooperation with international companies has been greatly improved.
Since the initiative was launched in 2009 the income of small farmers has increased by a total of five million dollars. From 2015 on this will reach 30 million dollars.
European Development Days - on 3 and 4 June in Brussels
Rural development is a key issue at the European Development Days (European Development Days, EDD) on 3 and 4 June in Brussels. With two events "Value chains for value gains - multi-stakeholder partnerships to boost agricultural growth" and "Exploring the land-drugs nexus" GIZ focuses on current aspects of rural development and food safety.