Abstract
Low yields from cashew farms and producers’ low income led the coaching organisation represented by the Cotton and Cashew Board to question the impact of the implementation of good agricultural practices (GAPs) on yields and income. The objective of this work was to study the financial profitability of cashew production in some areas in Cote d'Ivoire. To achieve this goal, we analyzed GAPs using the scores method and assessed the financial profitability of farms using the budgeting method. The study took place in the GBEKE, HAMBOL, PORO and WORODOUGOU regions of Cote d'Ivoire, and the surveys were aimed at a total sample of 160 cashew farmers. The analysis of GAPs has shown that they are implemented at 54.7%. Also, their implementation has a positive impact on cashew yields because producers who strongly implement GAPs have the highest yields (716 kg/ha). The financial profitability has revealed that the average income was 157,529 CFA F/ha; the average cost of production was 165 CFAF/kg; and for 100 CFA F invested, the business generates 313 CFAF. Similarly, the implementation of GAPs also has a positive impact on income, because producers who strongly implement GAPs have the highest incomes, however they are the least financially profitable compared to those who implement GAPs less, because of the very high costs. Our results reflect the competing objectives of the coaching organisation that pursues farm capitalization, and of a destitute farm manager or producer who wants to maximize his profit. Productivity is a simple-looking indicator that measures the relationship between production and the factors required to achieve it. This is the primary indicator of the farmer's or farm manager's dashboard. For a destitute producer, local agricultural productivity is one of the drivers of economic growth; and the analysis of agricultural performance helps identify priorities to be defined in terms of agricultural strategies, accompanying measures, and support required. This leads them to be more rational in the use of production factors. In the light of the above, we recommend that the coaching organisations should, from this study, identify the main characteristics of cashew farms, in order to develop a base of financially profitable farms, with a view to guiding their support for cashew farmers.
Highlights
Cashew is a fruit whose almond is increasingly consumed in the world
Farming Income (FI) The analysis shows that cashew generates a farming income per hectare ranging between 111,693 CFA F and 177,304 CFA F across regions with an average of 157,529 CFAF
The producer is obliged to grow food crops or engage in other non-agricultural activities. These results demonstrate the low profitability of cashew farming
Summary
Cashew is a fruit whose almond is increasingly consumed in the world. It is produced in dry tropical ares in Africa, Asia and Latin America with an estimated world production of over 3,200,000 tonnes [1]. Cote d’Ivoire, the world's largest cashew producer since 2015, started to focus on this crop in the 1970s. The reform led to the creation of a new organisation, the Cotton and Cashew Board (Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde or CCA), which aims to improve the governance of value chains and productivity and ensure better remuneration for producers. To this end, it implemented several strategies, including a research program to improve seedlings, and a Cashew Agricultural Board (Conseil Agricole Anacarde) to promote the dissemination of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). On the basis of these observations, a question arises: Does the implementation of good agricultural practices have any positive impact on producer’s yieds and incomes?
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