Mechanising the cashew economy of Ghana to rake in more profits

In Ghana's Bono, Bono East, and Northern regions, cashew trees thrive. They stretch across vast plantations under the hot sun. These trees produce cashew nuts, the nation’s second-highest non-traditional export. The global demand for these nuts is rising rapidly.

However, the cashew sector faces challenges. It relies heavily on manual labor and outdated farming practices. Many farmers lack mechanized tools to boost productivity and add value.

Ghana produces about 200,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew nuts yearly. Yet, less than 10% of these are processed locally. Most nuts are sent to countries like Vietnam and India for processing.

Dr. Clement Oppong Peprah, a Senior Research Scientist, sees mechanization as essential. He believes it can unlock wealth and create jobs in Ghana.

Cashew production in Ghana is mostly manual. Farmers harvest by shaking or climbing trees to collect nuts. Agye Sei farms on a 2-acre plantation in Nkoranza.

His wife helps crack open the shells with their hands under a tree's shade. This slow process leaves their hands bruised from the hard shells.

Agya Sei says he can only process about 20 kilos in a day. This low productivity hinders growth in the sector and leads to nut wastage.

Mechanization faces significant barriers beyond just buying machines. High costs, lack of funds, and poor rural infrastructure hinder progress.

Dr. Oppong Peprah points out that inconsistent government policies make machinery expensive. Illegal exports also limit local processors' supply of raw materials.

Setting up processing plants can cost millions; banks charge high interest rates too. Many old factories have closed due to poor supply and rising operational costs.

Some organizations aim to train farmers and provide basic machinery support. They want to connect farmers with shared processing centers for better efficiency.

Machines for cleaning, shelling, grading, and packaging are vital for quality standards. Dr. Oppong Peprah emphasizes using smart equipment like drones for improved production efficiency.

Governments have discussed plans to industrialize the cashew sector before now. The Tree Crops Development Authority Act categorizes cashews as a strategic crop alongside oil palm and shea.

In 2022, Ghana launched a national strategy to increase processing capacity by 35% by 2027. Past attempts at mechanization faced issues due to management problems and lack of trained personnel.

Today’s focus is on modern machines that reduce labor intensity while boosting productivity. Dr. Oppong Peprah stresses breaking free from old methods for a more efficient future.

The future of Ghana’s cashew industry lies in maximizing value at home rather than just exporting raw nuts. Mechanization requires coordinated efforts and policy discipline among producers.

Agya Sei hopes for tools, training, and market access so they can grow more than just nuts—they want to grow the economy too.

He envisions a future where Ghana's agricultural story includes modern technology like conveyor belts instead of just hoes and baskets.