SPECIAL FEATURE: INVESTING IN AFRICA’S GREY GOLD – EMPOWERING WOMEN AND YOUTH FOR A RESILIENT CASHEW VALUE CHAIN

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

Africa holds a prominent position in the global cashew industry, representing more than 50% of the world’s cashew production. According to African Cashew Alliance (ACA)’s Global Market Encounter, the estimated forecast for production in Africa in 2024 is around 57%. Significant contributions are coming from Côte d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Mozambique. These countries have leveraged this ‘grey gold’ to drive economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

Raw Cashew Nuts (RCN) have become one of Africa’s major agricultural export commodities to various international markets, including Europe, the United States, and Asia. West Africa generally produces about 1.8 million tons of cashew. For example, Ghana, coming from national production volumes of about 12000 in 2005 (MoFA; GEPA), reached a production volume of about 200,000 MT in 2022 (GIZ/ComCashew) with twelve out of the sixteen regions producing cashew.

Using Ghana as a case study, the average age of Ghanaian cashew farmers is 54, according to a survey conducted by the Directorate of Crop Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (DCS/MoFA) in 2021, highlighting the lack of youth engagement.  

Youth and women in the cashew sector still face systemic challenges, including limited access to resources, restricted decision-making power, and lower income opportunities. These challenges make it difficult for young people and women to fully participate in and benefit from the cashew sector in West Africa.  Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort by governments, development organizations, and the private sector to provide the necessary support and resources to empower these groups to succeed in the sector. Targeted interventions that empower women and youth to foster a more resilient and sustainable cashew value chain should be initiated. There is the need to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on cashew production in West Africa; improve infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply to support the cashew industry; promote the consumption of cashew products in West Africa and other regions to increase demand and create new markets and encourage local processing of cashews to add value to the product and create more jobs in the region; and develop capacity building programmes that are gender transformative.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CASHEW VALUE CHAIN FOR WOMEN & YOUTH

Despite challenges, African cashew sector is shifting towards value addition and processing, investing in facilities to export processed kernels instead of raw cashew nuts. Countries like Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire have taken action to support their cashew industry. For example, in Côte d'Ivoire, the government outlawed the export of RCN without value and established the Conseil du Coton et de l’Anacarde (CCA) to assist in building capacity and promoting cashew processing locally. 

Africa's cashew sector has the potential to boost economic development and create employment opportunities for women and youth due to their significant labour share in processing factories. Investing in this chain's development will promote inclusivity, advance the industry, diversify, and appeal to young people and women, ultimately contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction efforts.

SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE INCLUDE,

Women and youth as service providers: The    cashew value chain provides numerous employment opportunities, particularly for women and youth, with female grafters showing higher success rates in reproducing high-yielding plant varieties. Research by DCS/MoFA has shown that a female grafter grafts a minimum of 200 and a maximum of about 400 seedlings per day with 75% to 80% accuracy. Youth can be trained in cashew production, pest control, plantation establishment, grafting, and agricultural practices, providing them with jobs and income year-round. Beekeeping offers a potential revenue generation opportunity for women and youth in cashew production. Research shows beehives produce twice as much cashews as without them, and their pollination activity boosts quality.

Domestic value addition: Women and youth hold 7 out of 10 cashew processing jobs, dominating the chain. These two groups dominate the processing chain right from steaming through deshelling to roasting, sorting, and packaging. Tax holidays and improved access to finance could boost income in this sector. Cashew roasting and processing offer low start-up capital opportunities for women and youth, offering various products like juice, jam, candies, and ethanol, with proper support.

Skills enhancement and Agribusiness advisory services: Youth in Africa are increasingly involved in agribusiness, providing advisory services, skills enhancement, and hiring skilled personnel for plantation management and other agriculture-related services. Youth with agriculture or business management expertise can enhance cashew skills, aiding product development, branding, and global market access for regional cashew products.

BUILDING CAPACITIES IN THE CASHEW VALUE CHAIN – INTEGRATING A GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH

Human capacity development is essential for driving progress within the cashew value chain, as it empowers individuals by enhancing their skills, knowledge and attitudes - ultimately leading to greater efficiency, innovation and competitiveness. By integrating gender-transformative approaches, we ensure that women, men, and youth benefit equitably, addressing deep-rooted systemic inequalities that have historically marginalized women. This inclusive strategy not only unlocks the sector's full potential but also paves the way for sustainable development, fostering long-term growth, and resilience in the cashew industry. Additionally, it promotes a more diverse and dynamic workforce, positioning the sector to meet the challenges of a global market.

Gender-Sensitive Training Programs

Training programmes tailored to the specific needs of women and youth are crucial for their empowerment in the cashew sector. Initiatives by the GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew project co-financed by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) have integrated gender considerations such as supporting nursing mothers to participate in trainings with the provision of a professional nanny, special provision for persons with special needs and ensuring a significant percentage (50%) of trainees are women. These training programs equip participants with positive attitudes, technical skills, and knowledge which are vital for women and youth economic empowerment.

Promoting Women in Leadership Positions

Promoting women's leadership within the cashew value chain is a vital strategy for fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. Research shows that women hold only 20% of leadership positions in the agricultural sector, despite making up 43% of the workforce in agriculture (FAO, 2021). Empowering women through targeted initiatives, enables them to become key decision-makers and innovators within the sector. Evidence suggests that increasing female leadership can lead to significant improvements in productivity and profitability. For instance, a study by McKinsey & Company found that companies with more women in executive roles are 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability. Supporting women through targeted programs not only empowers them to become key decision-makers but also fosters a more inclusive and innovative environment.

Access to Finance and Resources

Access to finance remains a significant barrier for women and youth in the cashew value chain. Initiatives that provide women and youth with financial tools they would need to invest in their businesses should be developed. Research has shown that closing the gender gap in access to resources could significantly enhance agricultural productivity. The United Nations reports that when women have equal access to resources and opportunities, agricultural productivity can increase by up to 30%, contributing to food security and economic growth. By ensuring that women and youth have access to credit, grants, and technical assistance, the overall performance of the sector would be improved.

CONCLUSION

Investing in Africa’s ‘grey gold’ offers immense potential for improving the livelihoods of women and youth across the continent. By adopting a Gender Transformative Approach and addressing the unique challenges faced by these groups, the cashew value chain can continue to be a driver of sustainable development and economic growth.

Authors: Beate Weiskopf, Nunana Addo, Cynthia Al-Da Benon, Joseph Atakora, Janice Kanyire Annyaah and Valerie Toffey