Cashew farmers in Sampa in the Brong Ahafo Region are optimistic of improve yield and product quality in the coming years, following the introduction of canopy substitution.
The method ensures farmers have good production and high quality yield from their farms.
Farmers have had low production and quality yields from cashew farming in the past.
The trend is changing, and farmers are confident of bumper harvest, giving hopes for improved income.
Canopy substitution is just one of many methods introduced by agriculture experts to maximize farmer benefit from cashew production.
It involves cutting old matured trees at the apex and slanting the cut portion at both sides after which the new improved variety is grafted on the old tree.
The grafted plant is then left to grow over three years after which it is capable of yielding bigger and high quality cashew nuts.
Farmers say the technology is an improved system which would increase their productivity levels and boost their economic status in the farming business.
One of the farmers, Kofi Clement, is witnessing great improvement on his farm, nine years after the technology was introduced.
He is preparing to cut down more of the tree crops in his farm to make way for the method.
Increasing productivity levels of farmers for improved income and productivity is a key to farmers in the Jaman North District of the Brong Ahafo Region.
But in the past, cashew farmers have had difficulties with the tree crop. Many of the crop was “dormant” with no any sign of fruiting or had poor quality yields.
Agric Officer, Douglas Lebna, says the introduction was significant.
“Farmers could use any seed during the planting season which remained “dormant” at the expected harvesting season adding, some had smaller nuts not good for processing,” he said.
Marketing the Produce has Become a Challenge
In the face of expected high yield, marketing and processing the produce remain a challenge.
Farmers resort to selling their nuts to foreigners at a reduced price. They want to be empowered in order to process the nuts locally.
