Kenya has an installed processing capacity of 45,000 tons/year raw cashew, which is way above production level. In 2015 the country exported 600 Mt of cashew kernels. The global demand for processed cashew nuts and its accompanying value added products is increasing steadily. The demand for fair trade and organic cashew is also on the increase.
How can cashew nut management improve food security in Kenya?
The proposed project focuses on up-scaling the management technologies in cashew nut production and hence positively contributes to increased agricultural revenues and food security for the farmers in the target region. This is in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals of contributing to food security and improving welfare of Kenyan farmers.
Where are cashew nuts grown in Kenya?
Cashew is the most important cash crop in coastal Kenya. It is grown in Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River Mombasa and Lamu Counties. The cashew nuts industry directly and indirectly employs 4000 and 50,000 people, respectively. In 2016, the area under cashew was estimated at 21,284 ha with a production of 11,404Mt valued at Kshs. 398,799,443.
Why is cashew nut a problem in Kenya?
Marketing of cashew nut has been a problem particularly to the producers. It has often been the main factor for the increase and decline of the produce. Cashew production has been an important income generating activity in coastal Kenya.