Latest News
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Latest News

SeGaBi Zone Future Of The Cashew Nut sector

SEGABI ZONE: THE FUTURE OF THE CASHEW NUT SECTOR

December 19, 2024
The cashew nut industry, also known as cashew nuts, plays a crucial role in the economies of several West African countries, including Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. With the growing global demand for cashew products, it is essential to explore the future prospects of this sector in these countries. This article...
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Shelter For Life – Presentation of Certificates of Achievement to its Staff

December 11, 2024
Shelter For Life is proud to honor the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our exceptional staff. Today, we take a moment to recognize your invaluable contributions by presenting you with Certificates of Achievement. These certificates symbolize not just the goals we have achieved but also the passion and perseverance...
Steering Committe Pic

The LIFFT-Cashew Steering Committee Meets in Bissau to Advance Key Initiatives

November 14, 2024
On November 12, the steering committee of the LIFFT-Cashew project convened in Bissau to evaluate progress and outline next steps for the initiative. This important meeting brought together key stakeholders to review the project’s milestones, address legislative developments, and chart the path forward for the upcoming fiscal year. Achievements and...
Steering Committee

USDA LIFFT Cashew STEERING COMMITEE in BISSAU

November 14, 2024
https://lifftproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/STEERING-COMETEE-BISSAU-1.mp4 ...
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LIFFT-Cashew
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LIFFT-Cashew

This is a 6-year program (2017-2023) funded by USDA and implemented by Shelter for Life International to enhance the production and trade of cashews in local and international markets.

The LIFFT-Cashew project works around four objectives which are:

01

Increase RCN quality

Production: High yields and high quality of RCN in trees

01

Production of  organic RCN

Organic certification: Production of organic RCN

03

Post-harvest Farming

Maintain high quality of RCN after harvesting

04

Post-production handling

Improve post-production handling, and strengthen farm management.

Cashew
Cashew
Our Components
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Our Components

LIFFT CASHEW PROJECT

On-Farm Practices

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Training on good agricultural practices was provided to 20,946 cashew producers through pre-selected cooperative members as trainers/facilitators, who attended thematic train-the-trainer modules on pruning, thinning, nut separation, drying, storage, organic standards, and new plantation establishment techniques. A total of 721 trainers were trained. 32 nurseries were established by the support of the project in three countries and in total 98.000 seedlings were produced and sold to cashew producers. In total 46.815 hectares of cashew plantations were improved by application of good agricultural practices. 3.027 producers were certified for organic production.

Market Access

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24 cooperative societies were established or strengthened by providing series of training and daily coaching on business management, access to finance, sales, and market relations. Massive sensitization of cooperatives was supported, reaching at least 25,278 cashew producers. This resulted 145 commercial contracts signed between cooperatives and buyers, on supply of RCN. In total 122.397 MT of cashew nuts were sold collectively amounting $105.912.210 in value of sales.

LIFFT Cashew Truck Loading

Access to Finance

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The Project is working with financial institutions to increase access to microcredits and loans to cashew producers and processors. Two (2) financial institutions (microfinance) provided loans in amount of $917,897 and fifty-three (53) individual buyers and trading companies provided to producers and cooperatives pre-financing in amount of $64.487.593. The project Cashew fund disbursed to nine (9) processing facilities loans in amount of $740.000 for purchase of raw cashew nuts (RCN) during the season, that leveraged $4.641.041 private investment into the cashew sector. 1.777 individuals (incl. 463 women) were trained about entrepreneurship, financial management, loans.

Infrastructure

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Construction and rehabilitation of rural roads to facilitate the flow of cashew nuts. combines both heavy machinery and manual labor to create employment opportunities. To date 136,24 KM of feeder roads constructed and 4,640 jobs created. In total 15.564 m3 of storage were rehabilitated and constructed which allowed farmers to maintain quality and organize collective sales.

Road construction - Lifft-Cashew Project - Shelter For Life International
Achievements
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Our Achievements

105.9Millions Value of sales of beneficiaries who received USDA assistance
122397MT Volume of commodities sold by beneficiaries who received USDA assistance
32832Number of individuals who have benefitted directly because of USDA
46815 haNumber of hectares under improved technologies
136.24Kilometers of agricultural feeder roads and connector