World Cashew Conference 2022 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on January 16-18th, 2022.

This event was held in conjunction with the 4th edition of the National Days of Cashew Exporters of Ivory Coast (JNEC-CI).

• Linking Infrastructure, Finance, and Farms to Cashew (LIFFT-Cashew) Program funded by USDA and implemented by Shelter for Life International (SFL) in Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau facilitating trade of raw cashew nuts (RCN) between farmer organizations and buyers by participation in the World Cashew Conference 2022 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on January 16-18th, 2022.

  Since 2020 project assisted in the establishment of cooperative societies in three countries according to the OHADA framework, creating the structure of the organizations, strengthening their capacity on business management, marketing, sales, improving quality of RCN, and increasing yields by introducing and applying good agricultural practices. As of today38 cooperative societies were established which cover 4 regions in Senegal, 3 in the Gambia, and 5 in Guinea-Bissau. A total of 26.000 households (approx. 210.000 population) are benefiting from project activities.

  As one of the main goals of the project is to promote the collective sales of RCN by associations and cooperatives, the project assists them to link with buyers and sell products based on contract farming. This to happen project is organizing B2B meetings online and on-site, also assisting local and international buyers to meet with cooperatives one by one. Despite the Coronavirus restrictions, in 2020 total of 10.320 tons, and in 2021 total of 32.632 tons of RCN were sold by partner associations and cooperatives to buyers based on commercial contracts.

  For the new season of the year 2022, the project is continuing to support associations and cooperatives to increase the volume of sales of RCN directly to the local and international buyers. One of the steps toward sales of planned 70.000 tons this year was participation in World Cashew Conference in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The project became a sponsor of the event together with other USDA projects on the cashew value chain in West Africa. During the session of “Strengthening Competitiveness of Cashew Industry in Africa: Update from Development Sector” Chief of the Party Mr. Laurent Gomis made a presentation about project achievements, opportunities for buyers and investors, and invited them to visit the SeGaBi region.

  The project also participated in the exhibition presenting samples of cashew kernel, cashew apple juice, and raw cashew nuts from the region. Participation of the director of the cooperative CONGAI from Guinea-Bissau made the exhibition more practical by providing information directly from the field, from the farmers, and from first hand. Mr. Ibrahima Ciss, Agriculture manager, Mr. Mario Mendonca, Trade Promotion officer and Ms. Fanta Diarra, Access to Finance Lead were explaining to the buyers about opportunities in the region and project support to improve trade. All buyers and exporters were invited to participate in B2B events in three countries in the end of March to have direct access to all partner associations and cooperatives.

  About LIFFT-Cashew Project

  Under USDA/FAS Food For Progress (FFPr) program, Shelter For Life (SFL) is implementing a six-year project called “Linking Infrastructure, Finance and Farms to Cashew” (LIFFT-Cashew) in Senegal, the Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau (SeGaBi) with the goal to develop and upgrade value chain linkages necessary to support an integrated, regional trade network for the cashew value chain. For more information, visit: www.lifftproject.com

  About Shelter for Life International (SFL)

  SFL is an international non-governmental organization, with its headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States of America, and has been working in developing countries around the world since 1979. SFL works in more than fifteen countries around the world, guided by its philosophy of “restoring life by rebuilding communities”. SFL provides emergency services in case of disaster or conflict, undertakes infrastructure reconstruction activities after such events, and provides microfinance products to support economic growth. SFL has helped millions of people by building or rehabilitating infrastructure as varied as temporary shelters, production roads, irrigation systems, schools, market infrastructure, etc. The NGO has also provided significant funding through thousands of micro-loans to help ease access to finance urgently needed funds to grow smallholders’ production and business activities. For more information, visit: www.shelter.org

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