Awareness of Market Potentials and Utilization of Cashew Fruit: Perspectives of Cashew Farmers in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

In spite of its nutritional and economic values, Cashew apple has received low patronage in terms of commercialization and utilization and policy focus. This has led to underutilization and wastage of fresh fruits, which could contribute to farmer’s income. This study explored the state of awareness of the market potential and consumption of cashew apple among farm households in selected areas of Brong Ahafo in Ghana. A total 200 respondents were randomly interviewed in addition to a Focus group discussion. The results indicate there is a large number of farmers with long years of farming and trading in cashew yet trading has mainly been focused on the nuts and not fresh fruits which is nutritive. Contrary to literature in the study area apples has some level of patronage in home consumption, but attempts at exploiting cashew apple market potentials among farmers is low or nonexistent.

Cashew Apples in Ghana: Stakeholders’ Knowledge, Perception, and Utilization

“…These results suggest the need to intensify educational or training programs on regular basis and also encourage well-educated ones to participate in cashew activities, in order to improve the value of the cashew industry in Ghana. The current observation is consistent with an earlier study undertaken by Ackah et al [ 10 ] in Ghana and that of Dimoso et al [ 15 ] in Tanzania who recorded that about 66.5% and 82%, respectively, of major cashew stakeholders (farmers) have no or basic education. Oluyole et al [ 11 ] also revealed that the Nigerian cashew industry has about 88.2% of its workforce having no or basic formal education.…”

“…Comparatively, the good amount of women involved in the cashew industry in the study regions is an added advantage in improving their standard of living, reducing poverty, and ensuring food and nutrition security and quality of cashew since women are known to be meticulous and loyal in their dealings [ 14 ]. Dimoso et al [ 15 ] and Ackah et al [ 10 ] identified the cashew industry as male-dominated (54.7-74.1%), with the majority being 30-60 years of age, which is in accordance with the findings of this present study.…”

“…The percentage wastage and level of cashew apple utilization are presented in Figure 5 . The study revealed that more than 90% of the cashew apples go to waste as reported by approximately 95% of the respondents, which is in line with the studies by Ackah and Barreto [ 22 ], Oluyole et al [ 11 ], and Kolliesuah et al [ 9 ]. There is little or very low utilization for cashew apples in Ghana according to 91.7% of the stakeholders involved in the cashew business ( Figure 6 ).…”

“…It is just a perception built on no empirical data or evidence, and a study by Sousa et al [ 21 ] has revealed that extract from cashew apple has no toxicity in zebrafish and human tumor cells. Ackah and Barreto [ 22 ] also discovered a similar outcome where greater percentage (81.1%) of the respondents said the cashew apples were not poisonous citing the same reasons.…”

“…There is little or very low utilization for cashew apples in Ghana according to 91.7% of the stakeholders involved in the cashew business ( Figure 6 ). Cashew apple utilization in the major cashew-growing countries has been reported to be very low (less than 10%) [ 3 , 9 , 22 ]. Close to 95% of the respondents disclosed that the major utilization of the cashew apples is for fresh consumption usually on the farm during harvesting, whereas 11.25% of them consume them in the form of juice.…”