The cashew harvest season is in full swing in Côte d’Ivoire, with the Cotton and Cashew Council projecting over 1.3 million tons of cashew nuts this year. While production remains robust compared to previous years, it is expected to drop by 200,000 tons from last year’s figures. However, certain regions are grappling with significant challenges, particularly in the Bounkani area of the northeast, where erratic rainfall patterns have disrupted the harvest.
Climate disruptions hit Bounkani’s cashew farmers
From Bouna, our special correspondent reports on the dire situation faced by cashew farmers in the Bounkani region. Kouamé Ouattara, a local farmer, shares his struggles: “Three years ago, I could harvest up to 500 kg per hectare. This year, I barely managed to collect two sacks across my 3-hectare plantation.”
Ouattara attributes the sharp decline in production to disrupted rainfall patterns. “Typically, heavy rains between November and December help cashew trees bloom. But this year, the rains stopped in October,” he explains. “October, November, December, January, February passed without significant rainfall. Once flowering fails, we have to wait until the next season. That’s why this year’s harvest has been a complete failure.”
The consequences extend beyond cashew production. Beekeepers who maintain hives in cashew plantations are also suffering. Koffi Ouattara, president of the Koflangué beekeepers’ association, notes: “We’re barely producing any honey right now. Last year, we harvested 100 liters, but this year, we’ve only managed 30 liters. It’s a significant loss for us.”
Farming practices exacerbate the crisis
While climate factors play a major role, poor farming practices are worsening the situation, according to Dr. Sibirina Soro, a researcher at the University of Daloa and coordinator of the national cashew research project. “Many cashew orchards resemble dense forests because farmers didn’t adhere to the recommended planting density,” he explains. “The ideal density is 100 trees per hectare. We’re now advising farmers to rehabilitate their orchards to achieve this density.”
Dr. Soro also organizes annual training sessions to combat pest infestations. He emphasizes the need for better support for farmers, as Ivorian cashew producers avoid chemical pesticides, leaving them more vulnerable to losses during poor harvests.
