Cashew cultivation in Guinea-Bissau – risks and challenges of the success of a cash crop

Abstract

In recent decades a boom in cashew (Anacardium occidentale) cultivation has taken place in Guinea-Bissau, leading to the replacement of traditional slash-and-burn agriculture by a cash crop. As a result, the country is currently one of the world's largest producers of raw cashew nuts and the cashew sector has acquired enormous importance in Guinea-Bissau's economy. Changes induced by the cashew boom at social and environmental levels are yet to be analyzed and understood. The present study provides an account of the process of cashew expansion in Guinea-Bissau, reviews the current situation and discusses its future prospects. The cashew tree was introduced into the country by the Portuguese in the XIXth century, but only effectively expanded in the mid-1980s. It is largely cultivated by small farmers around villages and also plays a role in land ownership, since land tenure practices are linked to the planting of trees.The effects of this cashew boom on habitat fragmentation, fire regimes and biodiversity are still to be assessed. On the other hand, the spread of pests and diseases is becoming a problem.Strong dependence on a single cash crop also renders the country vulnerable to market fluctuations, entailing risks to local producers and the national economy. In the medium term, losses of export earnings can occur, which may impact the living standards and food security of BissauGuineans both in urban and rural areas.

Cashew as a High Agricultural Commodity in West Africa: Insights towards Sustainable Production in Guinea-Bissau

“…Other agricultural products also contribute to the country's economy, such as rice, which has increased in the last few decades ( Figure 2B), possibly responding to the needs imposed by the significant population growth. However, cashew production offers the opportunity of obtaining a higher profitability, since it allows farmers to reduce their production costs-especially in terms of labor inputs-when compared, for instance, to cereal [16]. Consequently, given the advantages in commercial profit and reduced to cashew cultivation in Guinea-Bissau has been constantly expanding ( Figures 2C and 3).…”

“…Its germplasm exploitation will be an important streamline to be pursued. Indeed, only two varieties are reported [16] and known locally as "Caju di Mozambique", with yellow apples and high caliber/greater commercial value nuts; and "Caju di Terra", with yellow and reddish apples and smaller nuts. In Guinea-Bissau, the majority of cashew orchards are cultivated with the "Caju di Terra" variety, despite having smaller nuts, since the apples are sweeter and used for juice that is locally sold to increment the farmer's income from cashew products.…”

Determinantes das Exportações de Castanha de Caju da Guiné-Bissau (1986-2011): uma análise sob a ótica do modelo de gravidade de Bergstrand

“…A cadeia de produção do caju é curta frente à da maioria dos produtos tropicais, cabendo destacar três fases principais, a saber: a fase de preparação de terreno, ou primeira fase; a fase da colheita, ou segunda fase, e a fase de comercialização, ou terceira fase (ver também CARVALHO e MENDES, CATARINO et al, 2015).…”

Mejoramiento Del Rendimiento Y Calidad De Fruto Y Pseudofruto De Marañon Con Un Ciclo De Fertilización Orgánica

“…El marañón (Anacardium occidentale L.) es originario del noreste de Brasil, pertenece a la familia de las Anacardiáceas y actualmente está distribuido por Centro y Sudamérica (CATARINO et al, 2015). La semilla, el principal producto comercial obtenido de este cultivo, está contenido en un aquenio reniforme, el cual se encuentra adherido al pseudofruto que es conocido como la "manzana" del marañón (CATARINO et al, 2015).…”

“…La semilla, el principal producto comercial obtenido de este cultivo, está contenido en un aquenio reniforme, el cual se encuentra adherido al pseudofruto que es conocido como la "manzana" del marañón (CATARINO et al, 2015). En México, el cultivo de marañón tiene importancia comercial principalmente de tipo local.…”