Cashew is a “hanging diamond” as described by Karene district farmers due to its economic viability. However, farmers engaging on cashew cultivation in this part of the country have not been realizing a greater dividend from their labor, until the intervention of COOPI through the European Union funded project “Fostering Smallholders Agriculture in Sierra Leone” under the theme of “Pro-resilience Action 2015”.
Now farmers have started realizing not only income from the sales of the cashew, but also diversifying their food consumption” says John Dto Kamara, District Council Chairman, Karene District.
The newly opened Cashew Processing Unit (CPU) in Kamalo, Karene district on the 7th October 2020 is one among the six Cashew Processing Units constructed by COOPI with funds from the European Union in four operational districts of Kambia, Port Loko, Bombali and Karene. The Kamalo CPU was officially handed over to the Cashew farmers and processors through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Produce Monitoring Board (PMB), the District Council and other district stakeholders who will play an advisory and monitoring role to ensure its functionality.
The unit will be managed by the Good Heart Cashew Farmers Association. This unveiling ceremony attracted a host of stakeholders including government officials, development partners, and local authorities, the smallholder farmers – the direct beneficiaries of this project.
In his opening remarks, the chairperson of the ceremony, Joseph Sesay who doubles to be a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) on behalf of the District Agriculture Officer, underscored the significance of this unforgettable development project. He says, MAF is pleased as a line ministry to join COOPI and the European Union to officially open a processing facility that would continue to promote the value chain of cashew in this part of Sierra Leone.
He mentioned that, MAF is committed to monitor the operations and sustainability of the CPU. Mr. Sesay admonished the district beneficiaries to be more serious and work together so that they will be able to increase their income and support their households.
The Project Coordinator for COOPI Alpha Koroma said, COOPI is focusing on the development of the cashew value chain in Sierra Leone. He said, the official handing over of the Kamalo CPU together with manual Cashew Nut Crackers, Boiler, other processing equipment and materials, is under the framework of European Union funded “Fostering Smallholder Agriculture in Sierra Leone - Pro-Resilience Action (Pro-Act) 2015”. He mentioned that the facility will not only serve as a cashew processing center, but also as an information bank for smallholder cashew farmers.
The Coordinator emphases that, the CPU will contribute to improve and strengthen a sustainable market linkage among the cashew market actors in and outside the district. Mr. Koroma informed all present that recently, COOPI has engaged local cashew processors and organized capacity building trainings including food safety and quality standard of cashew kernel processing on best practices for quality kernel using modern manual nut cracker machines.
COOPI Project Coordinator concluded that, if the center is well managed by the district stakeholders, it will contribute to Job creation in rural communities.
Karene District Council Chairman, John Deto Kamara on behalf of Local Government and his people in the district applauds the work of COOPI and European Union especially on the aspect of improving not on cashew value chain but also promoting food diversification.
On the current development in the district, John D. Kamara said, the cashew processing unit constructed by COOPI and partners has added to the asset base and it is the first Cashew Processing Unit in Karene district. He spells out the role of council which among them is providing enabling environment to attract development at local level, with this facility, he added, he is optimistic to see a transformative shift from subsistence cashew farming to extensive farming – which according to him it is an engine for economic development not only for farmers but the country.
He assured council’s stance to support this set of farmers in their quest to improve livelihood, creating job opportunities and at the same time contribute to revenue generation in this new district.
Produce Marketing Board (PMB) is an important public sector in linking farmers to the market and Dr. Vibbi is the Executive Chairman. In his key note address during the handing over ceremony of the Kamalo CPU, appreciates COOPI and the EU to support cashew farmers and processors-who are very crucial in economic growth of the country.
In terms of availing market opportunities to cashew farmers, the keynote speaker of the event said, there several opportunities for people engaging in this type of farming – as cashew products from the country are of high value.
He referenced Ivory Coast – which is one of the world’s highest producers and exporters of cashew. He continued, Ivory Coast farmers are not engaging on mechanized cultivation, but households are contributing largely to place Ivory Coast at a competitive advantage. He therefore encouraged individual households in Karene District and beyond to emulate the good example of this country if Sierra Leone is to be a major exporter of this “hanging diamond” Cashew.
Dr. Vibbi highlighted that partnering with INGOs like COOPI and the European Union is some of the government’s efforts to boost cashew crop production and value chain in Sierra Leone. He emphases on the crucial role that cashew is expected to play in alleviating poverty in the country.
He called on the CPU management to be active and committed. Sustainability as a watchword in contemporary development, Produce Monitoring Board Executive Chairman underscored that, cashew farmers must work concertedly so that their vision to export their cashew products in other countries will be achieved within the shortest possible time. As the country’s cashew is of high value, the unveiled processing unit will help farmers to realize high dividend from this cash crop,
Cashew farmers from respective communities in the district were present during this official launch of the CPU.
On behalf of colleague farmers, Steven Alimamy Kamara – head of the CPU facility at Kamalo gave a brief background on the whole idea of cashew plantation in the new district. He explained that, after the war in the country, businesses were collapsed: diamond activity which used to be an economic base for many Sierra Leoneans was no longer attractive. So they saw the utmost need to engage on cashew as a cash crop together with their inter-crop farming. He said, they started forming smaller groups and later COOPI intervenes; and their intervention according to him, there is considerable expansion of cashew in the entire district of Karene.
Steven expressed that, their longtime dream to have a modern cashew processing facility has been materialized through the support of COOPI and the European Union. With the Cashew Processing Unit, he went on, value will be added on their product and this would create a competitive or market advantage for them as farmers in the district and the country as a whole. Steven further stated that, the CPU will as well contribute to reduce the risk to transport their produce in other areas where much has not has been realized in term of profit making.
Steven Alimamy calls on the attention of Karene District Council as well as Produce Monitoring Board to complement the effort of COOPI by supporting the aspirations of cashew farmers in this part of the country especially on the area of technical support and linking them to a better market.
The head of the CPU on behalf of colleague farmers and local processors lauded the unflinching support from COOPI and other development partners for this timely intervention. Whilst admonishing other farmers to be cooperative and united in achieving their objectives, he also used the opportunity to mention key challenges which according to him are affecting them as cashew farmers; and among them are: wild fires in the dries, hoarding and poor road network.
An important component of the Cashew Processing Unit at Kamalo is that, appropriate technology is exploited – as all the equipment and machineries in the unit are locally manufactured to support in value addition for better price.
The handing over ceremony was climaxed with the process of “cutting the tap” by officials from the Karene District Council, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Produce Monitoring Board, Community representative and COOPI.
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