The cashew harvest season in Côte d’Ivoire is in full swing, with the Cotton and Cashew Council projecting over 1.3 million tonnes this year. While this output remains robust compared to previous seasons, it marks a decline of 200,000 tonnes from last year’s figures. Some regions, however, are facing significant setbacks, particularly in the Bounkani area of the northeast, where erratic rainfall patterns are wreaking havoc on production.
From our correspondent in Bouna
Kouamé Ouattara’s 3-hectare cashew plantation has yielded almost nothing this season, leaving him idle. “Three years ago, I could harvest 500 kg per hectare, but now I can barely fill two bags across the entire 3 hectares,” he laments. Ouattara blames the disruption in rainfall patterns for the crisis. “Typically, we expect heavy rains between November and December to help the cashew trees flower. This year, the rains stopped in October, and there was no significant precipitation from October through February. Without flowering, there can be no harvest.”
The impact extends beyond cashew farmers. Beekeepers who maintain hives in cashew plantations are also suffering. Koffi Ouattara, president of the Koflangué beekeepers’ association, reports a drastic drop in honey production. “Last year, we harvested 100 litres, but this season, we’ve managed only 30 litres,” he notes. “It’s a significant loss for us.”
Addressing unsustainable farming practices
Dr. Sibirina Soro, a researcher at Daloa University and coordinator of the national cashew research project, points to poor farming practices as a major contributor to the decline. “Many plantations resemble dense forests because the initial planting density was not respected,” he explains. “We recommend rehabilitating these orchards to achieve an optimal density of 100 trees per hectare.”
Soro also highlights the importance of training farmers to combat pests and diseases, given that Ivorian cashew producers avoid chemical inputs. “Without chemical protection, farmers are particularly vulnerable to losses during poor harvests,” he warns. “Proper training and support are essential to mitigate these risks.”
