News

ComCashew showcased at the International Green Week (IGW) Fair in Berlin

The BMZ selected Cashew as its main value chain for the fair because of its remarkable success story. In the past ten years, through the activities of GIZ’s Competitive Cashew initiative project and its public and private partners, more than 530,000 new jobs have been created in Africa by promoting of a competitive African Cashew sector.

Founded in Berlin in the Golden 20s (1926), IGW is a one-of-a-kind international exhibition of the food, agriculture and gardening industries. It is the largest agricultural trade fair in the world, with over 400,000 international and national visitors.

This provided the BMZ a platform to engage the thousands of visitors at the fair on topics of sustainable and fair consumption as well as to remind the general public especially the trade fair visitors about their responsibility for ONEWORLD without hunger.

For the fourth time in a row, the BMZ maintained its goal of "ONE World without Hunger" until 2030, using the slogan; "I want fair", which sort to encourage German citizens to make a personal contribution to improving the living situation in Africa by purchasing fair-trade products.

“All too often, our prosperity still comes at the expense of people in developing countries. Cashew, coffee, cocoa, the cotton in our shirts or metals in our electronic devices – many everyday products are made in intolerable conditions or using exploitative child labour. It’s also a wake-up call for consumers: buy carefully. When you take your first bite of chocolate, you should be aware whether children have had to graft in West African cocoa plantations to make it” German Development Minister Gerd Müller emphasises.

In many African countries, the cashew tree is seen as a "miracle plant" because of the enormous potential the tree possesses. The tree among other things; adapts to climate change and grows in places where most plants can no longer grow, It offers small farmers a future-oriented source of income. Additionally, if all cashews grown in Africa were also processed locally, a further 400,000 jobs could be created. 

Cashew nuts and almonds: Côte d'Ivoire wants to accelerate processing within 5 years

The world's leading producer of raw cashew nuts since 2015 with 715,000 tonnes and today with a mid-season production of 736,000 tonnes, while 78,000 tonnes are still to be harvested, but with a processing rate of less than 10%, Côte d'Ivoire through its government has decided to change its opinion. And to launch a bold policy of processing through accelerated industrialisation to meet the challenge of a processing rate of 50% by 2020.

ComCashew and SNI intensify cooperation

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) and the Sustainable Nut Initiative (SNI) have publicly announced the intensification of their cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding at the SIETTA - ACA Annual Cashew Conference & Expo 2018 in Abidjan. SNI is the private sector platform for a sustainable nut sector and ComCashew is GIZ’s multi-stakeholder partnership programme for the promotion of the cashew sector. Within their cooperation SNI and ComCashew are planning to scale up impact to make the cashew sector more sustainable and add value to the African economy.

With the signing of the cooperation agreement the two partners aim at aligning and scaling up their sustainability impact in the African cashew sector. SNI’s members are committed to improve the transparency in the nut chain, strengthening the relationship with farmer cooperatives and working towards volume and quality improvement. ComCashew is already working with several SNI members to improve the livelihood of farmers and workers in the sector and is involved in the local policy dialogue to make the policy environment more favourable for a flourishing African cashew sector.

ComCashew deputy director Florian Winckler states: “There is a growing desire of end consumers to know where their product is coming from and I know the cashew industry has a lot of interesting stories to tell to them. But these stories have to be based on reliable data. SNI and ComCashew perfectly complement each other and can make an effort to improve traceability and sustainability in the chain.”

SNI Board Chairman and Intersnack Procurement Director Food Wim Schipper highlights: “Improvement of the livelihood of farmers, safe and healthy circumstances in the factories and a flourishing cashew sector in Africa, that is a goal SNI and ComCashew are sharing. I am happy that we are strengthening ties with ComCashew and have public and private frontrunners aligned to make an impact.”

ComCashew will encourage companies that apply for funding to become an SNI member and implement the tools and way of working of SNI. All nut companies are very much welcome in SNI.

For more information: www.sustainablenutinitiative.com.

Cashew Processing, a Mine of Opportunities for Empowering African Youth - REMINDER

Cashew Processing Equipment Manufacturers, Processors, Investors and Business People are invited to be part of the International Cashew Processing Equipment and Technology Show - SIETTA 2018 in Côte d’Ivoire on 8, 9 and 10 November, 2018 at the Abidjan Palais de la Culture -Treichville in Côte d’Ivoire on the theme: “Cashew Processing, a Mine of Opportunities for Empowering African Youth”.

The 3rd edition of SIETTA is taking place alongside the annual African Cashew Alliance Conference making it the biggest Cashew Rendevous on the continet.

Participate in this world class fair and take the opportunity to:

• Launch new technologies;
• Exhibit, sell and buy the latest cashew processing equipment;
• Meet more than 15 000 national visitors;
• Discuss with more than 500 international visitors;
• Hold discussions on investment opportunities in the most promising economic sector in the West African sub-region;

Be part of the workshops and conferences facilitated by national and international Experts on the main thematic areas of the cashew value chain.

Enjoy beautiful sites, artistic and cultural treasures of Côte d’Ivoire and do business!

Contact us and register now!

Info line:

Tel: + (225)    20 20 70 30/22 52 75 80

Mob: + (225) 05 005 404/07 777 390   

www.sietta.ci/ info@sietta.ci / africancashewalliance.com   

“Participating in SIETTA-ACA Conference 2018, is to be part of the most promising Economic sector in the West African sub-region”

Call for Application: Lead Facilitators for the Cashew Master Training Programme

Terms of Reference: MTP Lead Facilitators                 

Background

In consolidation of their sector organization efforts, the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) and GIZ/ComCashew project want to consolidate the achievements, upgrade and reinforce the capacity of local actors, and transfer knowledge to partners and target groups. In this context, GIZ/ComCashew, with support from ACA, introduced the “Master Training Program” (MTP). 4 editions have been held already in which 246 experts have been trained between 2014 and 2017. Currently the 5th and 6th editions are ongoing with two of the 3 training sessions already done. In order to complete the last training sessions of the current running editions and to prepare and deliver editions 7, 8 and 9, the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) is therefore seeking the services of qualified experts to serve in role of Lead Facilitators for the remaining sessions and editions of the MTP.

 The aims of the MTP are to:

• Create a pool of qualified experts on the cashew value chain in West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, also reaching out to other West-African countries - e.g. Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Mali); and
• Reach out to East African Countries;
• Facilitate the regional exchange of knowledge, learning and innovation.

Required profile of the Lead Facilitator

• Should have an experience in adult education, organizational development (Gestalt) and facilitation of large groups.
• Must have expertise on the above-mentioned topics and understand the cashew value chain.
• Must have a profound knowledge on process facilitation and have experience in managing a very diverse cultural group.
• Have experience on training design, concept and implementation; have experience in leading a group of facilitators.
• Knowledge of the Cashew sector, proficiency in English and Basic French is considered an added advantage.

Find out more on how to apply in the concept note. The application form to be filled out, you find here.

PRESS RELEASE

Cashew Processing Equipment Manufacturers, Processors, Investors and Business People are invited to be part of the International Cashew Processing Equipment and Technology Show - SIETTA 2018 in Côte d’Ivoire on 8, 9 and 10 November, 2018 at the Abidjan Palais de la Culture -Treichville in Côte d’Ivoire

on the theme: “Cashew Processing, a Mine of Opportunities for  Empowering African Youth”.

Participate in this world class fair and take the opportunity to:

• Launch new technologies;
• Exhibit, sell and buy the latest cashew processing equipment;
• Meet more than 15 000 national visitors;
• Discuss with more than 500 international visitors;
• Hold discussions on investment opportunities in the most promising economic sector in the West African sub-region;
• Be part of the workshops and conferences facilitated by national and international Experts on the main thematic areas of the cashew value chain.

Enjoy beautiful sites, artistic and cultural treasures of Côte d’Ivoire and do business!

Contact us and register now!

Info line:

Tel: + (225)    20 20 70 30/22 52 75 80

Mob: + (225) 05 005 404/07 777 390   

www.sietta.ci/ info@sietta.ci         

“Participating in SIETTA 2018, is to be part of the most promising economic sector in the West African sub-region”

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Cashew Master Training Programme

The Master Training Programme aims to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African cashew experts along the value chain and consequently to further promote the competitiveness of Africa cashew sector.

 During knowledge sharing sessions of theories and their application, participants learn about all aspects of the cashew value chain ranging from production and processing of raw cashew nuts, to economics, cashew market dynamics, marketing and financing mechanisms etc.

Participants will return to their host institutions and have a multiplier effect on the cashew industry by sharing their knowledge and experiences gained from attending this tailor-made training.

Read more about the Master Training here: Concept Note

The next application period for the Master Training Programme starts on 28^th of September and ends 31^st of December 2018. Admitted applicants will begin their learning journey from March 2019.

If you are interested in participating in the Master Training Programme, please download and completely fill out the following form.

• MTP Application Form

You may direct all your questions concerning the application process to the admissions team

Cynthia Benon – al-da.benon@giz.de

Viviane M’boutiki - alima.mboutiki@giz.de

'Grey gold'; Africa's cashew story

One cashew nut out of two comes from Africa, making the continent the world's largest producer of cashew nuts today. The crop is largely produced by 1.5 million small-scale farmers. Agriculture plays a particular role in Africa. Two-thirds of Africa's population is employed in agriculture, making it the continent's largest employer. Most African countries today, face the challenge of making the agricultural sector sustainable and fit for the future. It is important in offering perspectives to rural populations and above all to young people, who make up more than 60% of the African population.  

The production and processing of cashew nuts in Africa create such perspectives. Nicknamed the "grey gold", cashew is increasingly becoming prominent and is seen in many countries as a "miracle weapon" because of its diverse potential. Given that, progressive climate change is forcing many farmers, especially in the Sahel region, to break new ground, the cashew tree is ideal for adapting to climate change.

Read more:

'Grey gold'; Africa's cashew story

The ‘grey gold’: Cashew, more than just a nut

COTVET would collaborate with GIZ-Com Cashew to boost cashew industry

The Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET) has pledged to collaborate with the German International Cooperation (GIZ)-Competitive Cashew Initiative (ComCashew) to boost the cashew sector.

Dr. Fred Asamoah, the Executive Director of COTVET, gave the assurance in Sunyani, saying COTVET would partner the two entities “in providing the foundation for developing quality-oriented, industry-focused and competency-based training programmes for the cashew industry”.

This, he said, was because the cashew sector in the last decade has proven that, if given the needed attention, it could offer sustainable solutions to the growing unemployment situation in Africa.

Dr Asamoah was addressing participants of the second session of the Sixth Edition of the Master Training Programme (MTP) on cashew value chain promotion, jointly organised by ComCashew and   African Cashew Alliance (ACA) with support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG).

Read more: COTVET would collaborate with GIZ-Com Cashew to boost cashew industry

Africa now provides over 50 percent global Cashew production –ComCashew

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of ComCashew at the opening of the second session of the Sixth Edition of the Master training Programme (MTP) on cashew value chain promotion, Mrs. Ofori-Karikari said development of improved planting materials and good agricultural practices (GAP) were key aspects of ensuring sustainable production.

The five day programme, organised by ComCashew in partnership with African Cashew Alliance (ACA)with support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) provided a platform for 86 Cashew experts from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d’Voire, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

It sought to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African Cashew experts along the value chain and consequently to further promote the competiveness of African cashew in addition to  sharing  knowledge, discuss best practices and lessons learnt and to build national and regional networks for future collaboration.

Read more: Africa now provides over 50 percent global Cashew production –ComCashew

Des partenaires techniques et financiers déterminés à investir dans la filière cajou en Afrique, selon un représentant des PTF

L'ensemble des partenaires techniques et financiers (PTF)considère la promotion de la filière cajou comme une opportunité d'apporter une contribution durable au développement des pays producteurs africains, a estimé vendredi à Cotonou, le représentant des PTF de la filière cajou, Florian Winckler.

Au cours d'une interview accordée à Xinhua, en marge de la deuxième réunion des ministres du conseil international consultatif du cajou (CICC), le représentant a fait remarquer qu'"avec plus de 50 différents partenaires techniques et financiers impliqués rien que dans les cinq principaux pays producteurs de cajou en Afrique de l'Ouest, la filière cajou occupe une place importante dans le secteur du développement". Un nombre croissant de PTF s'engage dans la filière et contribue avec les acteurs privés et publics qui déterminent la chaîne de valeur, à rendre celle-ci plus compétitive et durable.

En savoir plus: Des partenaires techniques et financiers déterminés à investir dans la filière cajou en Afrique, selon un représentant des PTF

BÉNIN /AGRICULTURE DES EXPERTS EN CONCERTATION POUR L’AMÉLIORATION DE LA QUALITÉ DU CAJOU

Production du cajou: Les pays africains s’organisent pour conquérir le marché mondial

Cotonou abrite une réunion des experts sur le Cajou

Vers l’opérationnalisation du Conseil international consultatif du Cajou en Afrique de l’Ouest

6th Edition: A Master Training Program to promote the African Cashew Value Chain, Session 2

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) in partnership with the African Cashew Alliance(ACA), and support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Cocoa Research Institute Ghana (CRIG), will commence the 2^nd session of the 6^th edition of the Master Training Program for Cashew Value Chain Promotion in Africa from Monday, August 27 to Friday August 31, 2018 at the Eusbett Hotel, Sunyani.  

This unique Master Training Program seeks to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African cashew experts along the value chain and consequently to further promote the competitiveness of African cashew.

The program will provide a platform for 86 cashew experts from Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Sierra Leone to share knowledge, discuss best practices and lessons learnt as well as to build national and regional networks for future collaboration.

Participants will return to their host institutions and have a multiplier effect on the cashew industry by sharing their knowledge and experiences gained from attending this tailor-made training. During knowledge sharing sessions of theories and their application, participants learn about all aspects of the cashew value chain ranging from production and processing of raw cashew nuts, to economics, cashew market dynamics, marketing and financing mechanisms.

Facilitators and technical experts teach, evaluate and re-design each training session according to participants’ needs.

The first session which was held in Peduase, covered the cashew value chain concept, the dynamics of the cashew market and the development of training materials. This second session will focus on the development of improved planting material and Good Agricultural Practices. The highlight of this session will be a visit to the Wenchi Research station. All sessions cover cross-cutting issues such as gender, policy development, sector regulations and nutrition value of cashew products.

“The Master Training Programme has been carefully designed to develop cashew experts who are endowed with knowledge and skill in the entire cashew value chain.”

Ernest Mintah, Managing Director, African cashew Alliance.

Seven months. Three sessions. Three locations.

Rolled out in seven months, the Master Training Program is divided into three successive sessions to be held in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Benin. This year, there are two separate editions: Edition 5 and 6. In so called “inter-sessions”, participants will return to their host institutions to conduct field work, either individually or in groups, to deepen knowledge on a selected topic. After completion of the program, the participants become certified and acknowledged cashew experts, who train farmers, provide assistance to processors, or advice institutions in their respective countries.

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew)

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) constitutes a new type of multi?stakeholder partnership in development cooperation. The initiative is mainly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Private companies and government and donor agencies also support the Initiative. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been commissioned with the management of the regional project with Fairmatch Support as an implementing partner who provides consultation on technical issues and facilitate linkages between farmers and processors.

ComCashew benefits from the diverse commercial and technical expertise of their private and public sector partners. Important cooperation partners in Ghana are the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). 

For more information, please contact:

Cynthia Benon, Manager of the Master Training Program, al-da.benon@giz.de or

Julius Abagi, Communications Officer, julius.abila@giz.de

Nunana Addo, Communications Officer, nunana.addo@giz.de

For more information on ComCashew, please visit our website www.comcashew.org

5th Edition: A Master Training Program to promote the African Cashew Value Chain, Session 2

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) in partnership with the African Cashew Alliance(ACA), and support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Cocoa Research Institute Ghana (CRIG), will commence the 2^nd session of the 5^th edition of the Master Training Program for Cashew Value Chain Promotion in Africa from Monday, July 23 to Friday July 27, 2018 at the Eusbett Hotel, Sunyani.  

This unique Master Training Program seeks to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African cashew experts along the value chain and consequently to further promote the competitiveness of African cashew.

The program will provide a platform for 72 cashew experts coming from 11 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia to share knowledge, discuss best practices and lessons learnt as well as to build national and regional networks for future collaboration.

Participants will return to their host institutions and have a multiplier effect on the cashew industry by sharing their knowledge and experiences gained from attending this tailor-made training. During knowledge sharing sessions of theories and their application, participants learn about all aspects of the cashew value chain ranging from production and processing of raw cashew nuts, to economics, cashew market dynamics, marketing and financing mechanisms.

Facilitators and technical experts teach, evaluate and re-design each training session according to participants’ needs.

The first session which was held in Peduase, covered the cashew value chain concept, the dynamics of the cashew market and the development of training materials. This second session will focus on the development of improved planting material and Good Agricultural Practices. The highlight of this session will be a visit to the Wenchi Research station. All sessions cover cross-cutting issues such as gender, policy development, sector regulations and nutrition value of cashew products.

“It was a great experience to interact physically with different professionals from 12 African countries on the cashew value chain and build an expertnetwork which aims to facilitate the development of the industry in Africa. Additionally, I have started to utilise the knowledge gained to build the capacity of small scale processors in cashew apple processing.”

Domina Damian, Master Trainer & Senior Processing Officer at the Cashew Nut Board of Tanzania.

Seven months. Three sessions. Three locations.

Rolled out in seven months, the Master Training Program is divided into three successive sessions to be held in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Benin. This year, there are two separate editions: Edition 5 and 6. In so called “inter-sessions”, participants will return to their host institutions to conduct field work, either individually or in groups, to deepen knowledge on a selected topic. After completion of the program, the participants become certified and acknowledged cashew experts, who train farmers, provide assistance to processors, or advice institutions in their respective countries.

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew)

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) constitutes a new type of multi?stakeholder partnership in development cooperation. The initiative is mainly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Private companies and government and donor agencies also support the Initiative. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been commissioned with the management of the regional project with Fairmatch Support as an implementing partner who provides consultation on technical issues and facilitate linkages between farmers and processors.

ComCashew benefits from the diverse commercial and technical expertise of their private and public sector partners. Important cooperation partners in Ghana are the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). 

For more information, please contact:

Cynthia Benon, Manager of the Master Training Program, al-da.benon@giz.de or

Julius Abagi, Communications Officer, julius.abila@giz.de

Nunana Addo, Communications Officer, nunana.addo@giz.de

For more information on ComCashew, please visit our website www.comcashew.org

Wim Schipper wins prestigious 2018 VINACAS Heritage Award

The 10^th VINACAS Golden Cashew Rendezvous, which takes place from October 5 to 7, 2018 in Halong bay, Vietnam, would see panels discussing the market trends of both Raw Cashew Nut and kernel. Among other things an award ceremony will be held during the Gala Dinner of the Golden Cashew Rendezvous on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Vinpearl Halong Resort, Vietnam.

Each year, VINACAS presents the VINACAS GOLDEN CASHEW Awards to excellent cashew companies which have contributed to the growth of the cashew industry in Vietnam and worldwide. The first VINACAS GOLDEN CASHEW Awards, presented during the Vietnam Golden Cashew Festival in 2010, has tremendously encouraged all cashew stakeholders and supported them in branding and promotional campaigns.

As approved and announced by the Awarding Council of VINACAS, Mr. Wim Schipper, Director Tree Nuts and Ingredients for Intersnack Procurement B.V. will be a recipient of the award.

Intersnack Procurement B.V. is a subsidiary of Intersnack Group from the Netherlands and a board member of the Competitive Cashew initiative (GIZ/ComCashew).

GIZ/ComCashew congratulates Mr. Schipper for this exceptional recognition.

Sahelian Cashew Forum-FOCAS

The forum is supported by the GIZ Competitive Cashew Initiative (ComCashew), SNV Netherlands Development Organization and Cadre Intégré Renforcé (CIR).

Under the theme:  “The Cashew Sector, what reforms are favorable for a better organized, dynamic and competitive market?”, this two day event will bring together diverse stakeholders from the public and private sectors of the cashew industry as well as development partners in the sub-region.

Presentations, exhibitions, panel discussions, and personalized ‘business-to-business’ meetings with technical and development partners, government and regulatory authorities and financial institutions,  will significantly enhance technical and strategic knowledge on the dynamism of the cashew sector especially in the sub region.

The African Cashew Alliance is honored to partner with CIA-B for organizing this event that will continue discussions and actions towards the creation of a more sustainable and competitive African cashew industry!

Stakeholders interested in Exhibition are kindly ask to place a request at the below address. Limited spots available!

ACA and its partners continue to support and work towards a competitive cashew industry in Africa!

For more information on this event, or to sponsor, please contact focas2018@africancashewalliance.com; telephone, +233 302 90 49 51

5th Edition: A Master Training Program to promote the African Cashew Value Chain, Session 1

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) in partnership with the African Cashew Alliance(ACA), and support from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Cocoa Research Institute Ghana (CRIG), will commence the 1^st session of the 5^th edition of the Master Training Program for Cashew Value Chain Promotion in Africa from Monday, April 23 to Friday April 27 2018 at the Hephzibah Christian Retreat Centre, Peduase.  

The unique Master Training Program seeks to increase theoretical knowledge and practical skills of African cashew experts along the value chain and consequently to further promote the competitiveness of African cashew.

The program will provide a platform for 77 cashew experts coming from 9 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Togo to share knowledge, discuss best practices and lessons learnt as well as to build national and regional networks for future collaboration.

Participants will return to their host institutions and have a multiplier effect on the cashew industry by sharing their knowledge and experiences gained from attending this tailor-made training. During knowledge sharing sessions of theories and their application, participants learn about all aspects of the cashew value chain ranging from production and processing of raw cashew nuts, to economics, cashew market dynamics, marketing and financing mechanisms.

Facilitators and technical experts teach, evaluate and re-design each training session according to participants’ needs.

The first session to be held in Peduase, will cover the cashew value chain concept, the dynamics of the cashew market and the development of training materials. The highlight will be a field visit to the largest cashew processing factory in the sub region - USIBRAS, in Prampram. All sessions cover cross-cutting issues such as gender, policy development, sector regulations and nutrition value of cashew products.

A former Master Trainer, Judith Odei who works as Director of Operations at the MIM Agro Processing factory in Ghana states: “As the Quality Assurance Manager of MIM, I train factory staff on personal hygiene and security threats awareness. The Master Training programme taught me steps on how to better facilitate these trainings. With regards to process documentation, I have gained more knowledge thanks to the experiences shared by various well-verse experts from different countries. This will go a long way to improve the quality of work in the factory. In my community, I will raise awareness about the nutritional value and benefits of cashew nuts and apples.

Seven months. Three sessions. Three locations.

Rolled out in seven months, the Master Training Program is divided into three successive sessions to be held in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Benin. This year, there will be two separate editions: Edition 5 and 6. In so called “inter-sessions”, participants will return to their host institutions to conduct field work, either individually or in groups, to deepen knowledge on a selected topic. After completion of the program, the participants become certified and acknowledged cashew experts, who train farmers, provide assistance to processors, or advice institutions in their respective countries.

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew)

The Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew) constitutes a new type of multi‐stakeholder partnership in development cooperation. The initiative is mainly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). Private companies and government and donor agencies also support the Initiative. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been commissioned with the management of the project with Fairmatch Support as an implementing partner who provides consultation on technical issues and facilitate linkages between farmers and processors.

ComCashew benefits from the diverse commercial and technical expertise of their private and public sector partners. Important cooperation partners in Ghana are the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG). 

For more information, please contact:

Cynthia Benon, Manager of the Master Training Program, al-da.benon@giz.de or

Sylvia Pobee, Communication Manager, sylvia.pobee@giz.de

For more information on ComCashew, please visit our website www.comcashew.org

Gender pays off – ComCashew as part of A4SD wins the GIZ Gender Award, 2018

For this year’s edition of the GIZ Gender Award, Agricultural value chains for Sustainable Development (A4SD) was one of the nine award winners, picking up the first prize for the G1 category. The event offered an opportunity to reward projects of their efforts to ensure gender equality based on three categories:

• G1: projects whose activities are not gender-oriented
• G2: projects that have gender as their main goal
• G3: projects that integrate the gender dimension in the company.

A4SD’s submission on “Gender in Agricultural Value Chain Promotion Empowering Female Farmers in Selected African Value Chains” highlights the impact of A4SD activities on female farmers. So far, more than 1.8 million farmers have been trained in GAP and in FBS – 400,000 of them were women. On average, men and women increased their income by up to 150% by implementing lessons learnt in GAP and FBS training. It is worth noting that the jury was impressed with this submission.

The A4SD gender factsheet indicates the contributions of the Competitive Cashew initiative (ComCashew), the Sustainable Smallholder Agribusiness (SSAB), the Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) and the Competitive African Cotton Initiative (COMPACI) towards gender mainstreaming and in empowering female farmers.  

Ms. Viviane Alima M’boutiki represented ComCashew at the awards ceremony, and received the award in the presence of, Tanja Goner, the CEO of GIZ, and Caren Grown, Group Senior Director of the World Bank.

Congratulations to the team!

Call for Applications: 5th Cashew Master Training Program

The Competitive Cashew initiative and its partners are pleased to inform stakeholders in the African Cashew sector of the call for applications for the 5^th edition of the Cashew Master Training program (MTP) in Cashew value chain promotion.

The current call is open until 31^st January 2018.

For more information, please see the attached documents.

L'initiative du Cajou compétitif et ses partenaires ont le plaisir d'informer les acteurs dans le secteur du cajou africain de l'appel à candidatures pour la 5ème édition du Programme de Maîtres Formateurs dans la promotion de la chaîne de valeur anacarde.

L'appel actuel est ouvert jusqu'au 31 janvier 2018.

En savoir plus, veuillez consulter les documents joints.

 171205_Application form_MTP 5 EN

171205_Formulaire de candidature_MTP 5_FR

171208_ Note Conceptuelle Master Training Program_FR_Edition 5

171208_Concept Note Master Training Program_EN_Edition 5