Abstract
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), a crop projecting Ghana internationally beside cocoa, is usually cultivated for its nut, for both local and international markets. The cashew apple is underutilized in many African countries. This study is aimed at determining the knowledge, perception, and utilization of cashew apples in Ghana among stakeholders in the cashew value chain. Results from the study showed that the cashew industry consisted of farmers (89.1%), nut buyers (6.8%), extension officers (3.5%), and processors (0.6%) with uneven distribution of males (66.2%) and females (33.8%). Cashew apple utilization was low (<10%), though 84.37% had in-depth knowledge on the health benefits and value-added products made from the apples. Cashew apple is mainly utilized as fresh fruits or juice, with minor uses as an ingredient in food preparation, animal feed formulation, and production of mushroom, weedicide, ethanol, and manure. The cashew apple processors identified high cost of processing equipment, perishability of apples, lack of capital, market, technical know-how, and government support as challenges. Based on these findings, education of the stakeholders on value addition or processing of the apples at household and industrial levels and provision of stimulus packages to private processors are recommended to maximize cashew apple utilization in Ghana.
Highlights
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a cash crop of the family Anacardiaceae and genus Anacardium, which grows well in Vietnam, India, Brazil, and most West African countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin
The cashew production industry in Ghana has received tremendous development and growth through interventional strategies like the supply of free seedlings, financial support and grants, research, education, and training workshops for farmers and other stakeholders by the government of Ghana, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), and some benevolent institutions. Notwithstanding these successes, the cashew industry in Ghana is still faced with challenges like insect infestation, rainfall failure, price fluctuations, limited market, and utilization of cashew apples [4, 5]
The main utilization of cashew apple was its consumption as fresh fruits or juice and minor uses as an ingredient in food preparation, animal feed, and production of mushroom, weedicide, ethanol, and manure in rare cases
Summary
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is a cash crop of the family Anacardiaceae and genus Anacardium, which grows well in Vietnam, India, Brazil, and most West African countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin. The cashew production industry in Ghana has received tremendous development and growth through interventional strategies like the supply of free seedlings, financial support and grants, research, education, and training workshops for farmers and other stakeholders by the government of Ghana, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), and some benevolent institutions. Notwithstanding these successes, the cashew industry in Ghana is still faced with challenges like insect infestation, rainfall failure, price fluctuations, limited market, and utilization of cashew apples [4, 5]
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