As the cashew industry continues to expand significantly, producers emphasize the importance of evaluating the effects of newly introduced cashew clones on the country’s crops. This concern was highlighted by producers during National Cashew Day, which was organized last week in Kara by the Interprofessional Council for the Cashew Industry in Togo (CIFAT), just prior to the launch of the marketing campaign.
According to Koriko Adjemini, a representative of cashew nut producers, the primary challenge is to assess how imported plants compare to locally developed varieties. Over the past ten years, improved cashew clones have been brought in from neighboring Ghana and integrated into Togo’s agricultural practices, alongside ongoing research on elite Togolese trees.
With the identification of high-performing local varieties, producers are advocating for a comparative analysis to identify the most suitable and productive clones on a broader scale. “Accurately identifying the most profitable trees would greatly benefit the sector by facilitating the spread of varieties that are best adapted to local soil and climate conditions,” argue the cashew producers.
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In this context, industry stakeholders are urging public authorities and technical and financial partners to commit to supporting a comprehensive study on cashew cultivation in Togo. “Such research would assist producers in selecting high-performance, resilient varieties, thereby enhancing the industry’s competitiveness in the regional market,” they stated.
This discussion arises at a time when national cashew production saw a decline last year. For 2024, production is projected to be 34,500 tonnes, reflecting a 16% decrease from the 41,000 tonnes produced in 2023. Despite this downturn, Togo remains a significant player in the sector, strategically positioned as an export hub for neighboring countries such as Benin and Burkina Faso.
