The popularity of the dwarf cashew is due to its profitability since it takes a short time to start fruiting (one year) compared to the traditional cashew tree which takes about three years to start fruiting. However, the most widespread cashew tree is the dwarf cashew which grows to a height of only 20 feet. This gigantic cashew tree covers an area of over 81,000 square feet. A notable exception is the Cashew Tree of Pirangi which is among the largest trees in the world. The traditional cashew tree can grow to reach 46 feet tall. The cashew tree is an evergreen plant having broad leather-textured leaves. Other trees cultivated along with the cashew tree are the tamarind and mango trees which are also well-adapted to suit hot regions. The cashew tree does well in the tropics between the 250 N and 250 S latitudes and is best-suited in regions which experience a long dry season. From India, the tree spread all over Southeast Asia and finally reached West Africa. The Portuguese were responsible for spreading the tree in other regions and introduced the cashew tree to India in the 1550s. The cashew gets its name from the Portuguese term “caju” which is borrowed from the Tupian term “acaju” which translates to “the nut that is self-productive.” The binomial name of the cashew is “Anacardium” which originate from the Greek words “ana” and “kardia” which translate to “above heart” as a reference to the unusual positioning of the seed above the cashew fruit’s core (heart). While the consumption of cashews is popular in many countries around the world, about 6% of the global population is believed to be allergic to cashews which can trigger either mild or life-threatening allergic reactions. Cashew nuts are a favorite food item around the world, and they are packed with proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. With the combination of traceability (3S system) and targeted actions (co-funded through ACI match fund), the (sustainability) risks in the supply chain can be mitigated and addressed.Cashews are the nuts produced from the cashew tree. The focus of the IDH work stream is to support businesses in creating sustainable business links along the supply chain by developing and implementing a traceability approach, while providing a more secure income and better livelihoods for farmers.īy tracing the quantity and quality of cashew, and the conditions under which it is produced, this system enables benchmarking and focused training for farmers as well as making supply more secure for traders and roasters. At the farmer’s end, increased traceability and performance tracking translates into more relevant training, improved access to finance and ultimately higher income levels. At the same time, collecting information about a farmer group’s performance allows private and public investors to better target their investments. By buying directly from smallholder groups and registering their deliveries in a newly developed traceability system, supply chain players can substantially reduce their supply and reputational risks. Whereas processors and traders traditionally buy their cashews on the spot-market, IDH’s interventions initiate a transition to direct sourcing from smallholders. In close partnership with ComCashew – a puplic private partnership predomintantly funded by GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and BMGF (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) – we support the organization of sourcing areas and creation of strong market links between farmer aggregates, processing factories in Africa and end-buyers in western countries. The remainder is processed mainly in India and Vietnam followed by Brazil, leading to a loss of value in the value chain in Africa. Currently more than 50% of the cashew world production of Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) is produced in Africa but less than 10% gets processed (shelling and peeling) into cashew kernels in Africa. Main buyers from US and Europe, but also India, Vietnam and Brazil will have to source from Africa. World cashew demand is growing strongly in terms of volume and value and is expected to continue growing rapidly. The main cashew production regions are Africa, India, Vietnam and Brazil. Worldwide the annual production is about 2.1 million tons of raw nuts (RCN) with an estimated value of US$ 1.5 -2 billion. Further, the cashew harvesting season falls into the so-called hunger gap – a time of the year where smallholders typically struggle to make ends meet – which elevates the potential livelihood impact of improved cashew production beyond a regular increase in yield and income. These smallholders typically have extremely low yields of around 50% of the world average. Cashew acts as one of the main cash crop for approximately 2 million small-scale farmers in Africa. In the Nuts sector we focus our work on the improvement of livelihood of the smallholder farmers in Africa.
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