You are what you eat, so stop eating crap!
It seems we all have been ravaged by the healthy bug to some degree or another. Whether it’s our doctor telling us to balance our plates or our gym instructor preaching healthy eating while emphasizing the importance of healthy snacks.
It has been a journey that each one of us has endured to the end in a bid to enjoy life and become healthy.
We all have had to find the healthiest snacks available to keep ourselves healthy and enjoy life a little. And for sure we did find that snack. In cashew nuts, we found that healthy snack. Thank you nuts!
What type of nuts am I appreciating? Of course, cashews! That does not mean that other nuts are less valuable or nutritious. Quite the contrary. The reason I wish to highlight this particular type of nut is that it has improved the financial position of Kenyan farmers.
From a global standpoint, cashew nuts have earned their place among the most profitable nuts. And this extends to the local front as well.
Let’s discover how farmers in Kenya are reforming their financial status through farming cashew nuts.
Cashew nuts In Kenya
In Kenya, cashew nuts are commonly known as Korosho (Swahili word) and grown along the coastal region of the country which experiences a tropical climate, 0 – 1000m above sea level.
Compared to other types of nuts grown in the country. Cashew nuts are majorly grown in Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, Lamu, and Tana River. Recently introduced in the central regions of the country Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties.
There has been a rise and fall in the crop return on revenue of cashew nuts in Kenya since the 90s up to 2000. As a result of new agricultural farming experts, the cashew nut farming industry is changing.
In recent years, agricultural organizations such as the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) have made a conscious decision to support farmers to better their cashew nut farming venture in the country.
Helping farmers to learn new crop husbandry and disassociating with the old farming methods. Cashew nut farming is becoming a go-to farming practice again. Even though there is a reservation about venturing into it again. The organizations are engaging the farmers with realistic goals and understanding.
From being one of the major export products in the 1960– the 70s with 24,000 metric tonnages to barely making it to the 10,000 metric tonnages in 2020. There is a firm indication that Cashew nut farming has not been a profitable venture.
Not all is lost. A big thank you to all agricultural biologists who through their research and hard work have discovered new ways of reinventing the cashew nut farming business. Through methods such as grafting, new seedlings have been propagated. New types of fruits that are resistant to diseases and mature early are produced increasing product yield.
Non-governmental organizations such as Farm Africa and Empowering Farmers Foundation have positively impacted both new and existing farmers. These organizations have provided new planting and management strategies that make cashew nut farming a profitable venture.
Through seminars and other related activities, farmers are empowered to use new farming innovations that have worked in other countries like Tanzania where cashew nut farming is experiencing a high financial return.
Export Trading Group and Selina Wamucii are organizations that have equipped farmers with better marketing opportunities for their farm produce. Allowing both regional and overseas market bidding gives farmers the upper hand to have their products sold to the highest bidder while eliminating the middlemen.
Current cashew nut prices fall at Ksh; 790 per Kilogram. With estimated tree production of 70kgs, the future is bright for cashew nut farmers.
These various platforms have made it easy for farmers to renew their motivation towards cashew nut farming and experience the true sense of success in Cashew nut farming.
Having given you the history of cashew nuts in Kenya. Here are simple instructions on cashew nut farming for beginners.
How to Prepare Land for Planting
Cashew nut trees have a good root system making them most suitable for high-temperature areas like the coastal region. Therefore, recommended soils are sandy loam or well-drained sandy soils. Soils that are not well-drained impact the growth of the taproot which grows deeper into the ground level to access water.
Plow your land and mix the soil with enough Nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers to facilitate speedy growth, maturity, and good canopy.
Cashew Nuts Varieties
There are over 30 varieties of cashew nuts found globally but the common ones found in Kenya include; A81, A82, A100, and A75/83.
These varieties have been certified by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Making them the best option when looking for seedlings for your cashew nut farming practice.
Planting Cashew Nut Trees
Cashew nut trees can be propagated from seeds and later transplanted after 2 – 3 years of germination. But the most recommended seedlings are that which has been grafted in a controlled environment. KALRO.
After plowing the land layout holes at 12m x 12m.
Dig your holes 1 -2 months before the actual planting at 60cm x 60cm x 60cm.
During the actual planting make sure to inflict minimal disturbance to the root system of the tree when removing the plant from the seedling bag. Plant your seedling at the center of the hole and create a water basin around your plant.
Mulch immediately after planting and later on, water the plant. Create shade to prevent high levels of direct sunlight to the young seedlings.
Cashew nuts will require a significant amount of water of up to 1500 liters, enough reason to have a frequent watering schedule.
Plant Husbandry
Cashew nut trees are fairly resistant to a majority of the pests but this does not mean you don’t take good care of your trees. No.
In fact lack of good trees, husbandry is highlighted as a major contributing factor to the low cashew nuts yields production in the country.
Since they are perennial trees fertilizer application should be done once a year. Three important fertilizers to have are Nitrogen, phosphate, and Zinc oxide. Apply each fertilizer as instructed on the KARLO website.
In case of difficulty in understanding the measurements and application methods contact the organization for further assistance.
Rainfall during the flowering period causes them to fall which is called (flower abortion). Cashew nuts develop from the flower, so it is important to protect the flower to maturity for high yields.
The pruning of unwanted branches and plant parts influences the number of fruits produced by a tree. Practices such as coppicing help to renew the canopy of the tree making it more productive. Graft sprouts from unproductive trees influence new fruit production.
Pests and Diseases
Powdery mildew and Anthracnosis are the most common diseases that infest the cashew nut tree. Spray your plants with Bayfidan and Antracol or Kocide BF respectively. At the onset of the flowering period and the end.
Apply these pesticides appropriately following the recommended procedures by the manufacturer.
Harvesting and Storage
The time to harvest cashew nuts is during the dry season which begins from October to December. During this time there is low precipitation, therefore, lowering the level of fruit damage.
Harvesting is done by handpicking fruits that have fallen on the ground or are still attached to the tree plant. Mature fruit is ready for harvesting once the apple is red in color and nut (kernel) white ash in color.
Sundry the nuts before storage to reduce the moisture content and extend shelf life. Moisture content level of below 9% is most recommended this gives the kernel the right color and reduces chances of becoming rancid.
A good kernel (nut) has the following features:
· Kernels are less damaged and clean
· The color of the kernel is white, Pale Ivory, or Light Ash.
· Big-sized kernels.
Marketing Prospects
As earlier mentioned due to poor policies and bureaucracy farmers have not enjoyed good pricing. The involvement of organizations such as Selina Wamucii. Nut prices have gone higher with 1kg of cashew nuts selling at Ksh. 792.
This is a huge price difference compared to Ksh. 50 for 1kg in 2020. The implementation of new plant management strategies attributes to the new change in price.
Tree grafting has enabled farmers to revive old trees that did not produce fruits and begin new production increasing their product earnings. New trees have a better yield of 70 kgs per tree compared to the earlier years of less than 50 kgs per tree.
Empowering Farmers Foundation connects farmers with buyers from overseas allowing them to sell their produce at better prices. By guiding farmers on good marketing strategies and quality produce, farmers stand to benefit from this partnership.
Facts about Cashew Nut Trees
- These trees are not selfish and therefore intercropping can be practiced.
- The tree offers more than one added advantage once you grow it.
- The leaves and bark can be used for medicinal purposes.
- The apple is a good health product.
- While the bark can also be used for tanning leather due to the tannins components it provides.
- Good source of firewood for domestic use.
- The oil produced when roasting the kernel can be used for industrial purposes.