About Us
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 three objectives which are:
Increase RCN quality
Increase or maintain quality of Raw Cashew Nuts outturn in 52-54 lbs
Increase RCN processing
Increase processing of Raw Cashew Nuts to additional 30000 tons locally
Strengthen cooperatives
Strengthen cooperatives and sale up to 50% by organizing collective sales
Post-production handling
Improve post-production handling, and strengthen farm management.
Nos Composantes
On-Farm Practices
The LIFFT-Cashew program will approach improving agricultural techniques from a social capital perspective and will establish up to 8 cashew demonstration farms, spread out geographically.
Market Access
By establishing and growing Cashew Marketing Associations (CMAs, similar to producer cooperatives), the program will improve the bargaining power of cashew producers, improve post-production handling, and strengthen farm management.
Access to Finance
The LIFFT-Cashew will collaborate with financial institutions to increase financial services to cashew producers and processors.
Infrastructure
The LIFFT-Cashew program will build or rehabilitate 100 kilometers of agricultural feeder and connector
Latest News
WHEN TRUST IS BUILT BETWEEN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND WOMEN: From market gardener to nurserywoman
August 24, 2022
CONSULTANCY: ASSESSMENT STUDY CROSS BORDER TRADE OF RCN IN SEGABI
August 23, 2022
WHEN SFL AND ITS PRODUCERS ARE INTERESTED IN INTERCROPPING
August 4, 2022Social Media Posts
; We in project also beleive that processing is one of the main factors of supporting farmers, adding value to local production and prosperity of the country. And will continue to support local initiatives , technical assistance, consultancy and linkages with interna tional market.
Assisting in finding end buyers and investors, access to finance, construction of storage, building capacity on food safety standards, also linking with new opportunities with other companies and international organization.
In terms of quality and taste and processing sector will bloom in Africa in the next years. That is why a lot of efforts they are puting in place to organize processing lines, supply of @RCN and export to foreign countries. Project assisting them in linking with cooperatives.
During the visit to The Gambia, @USDA team together with LIFFT-Cashew team visit two cashew nuts processing companies @Smiling Coast Agro-Processing and @Premium Commodities. Both entrepreneurs Moses and Buba believe that cashew nuts from West Africa
USDA reps visited the SenAgro company site of a future 20,000 MT warehouse and processing factory in the industrial zone of Ziguinchor. LIFFT Cashew is assisting this processor with the warehouse construction which will be used under agreement with three cooperatives.
The USDA and SFL teams visited the Balhuna farmer cooperative in Sedhiou region and FAMVI and FADECBA cooperatives in the Ziguinchor regions where they heard firsthand from members about how they have grown in buisness capacity.Balhuna gave the example of collecting 825 MT of RCN
