News in brief: Tanzania is set to host the International Cashews Conference in Dar es Salaam from October 11 to 13, expecting participants from 33 cashew-growing nations to share knowledge and explore investment opportunities in the industry, with the aim of increasing production and processing of cashew nuts in the country.
Tanzania has announced its readiness to host farmers and growers of cashew in its International Cashews Conference. The event, slated for October 11 to 13, will be held in the capital city of Dar es Salaam.
According to information available on its website, the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania says they expect over 500 participants from 33 cashew growing nations.
The nations scheduled to be represented at the conference include; Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Madagascar, and others. It also mentions that stakeholders from countries including the US, China, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa have also confirmed attendance.
The conference’s aims include knowledge sharing between stakeholders on cashew production and agro mechanisation, use of technology in the industry as well as investment opportunities. There will be discussions about financing mechanisms in the cashew industry, processing technology and techniques, incentives and enabling policies.
Farmers, growers, processors, roasters, transporters, cooperatives, input suppliers, warehouse operators, manufacturers of equipment and machinery used in cashew cultivation are expected to contribute their expertise during the event. They also look forward to seeing policy makers, financial institutions, industry managers, investors, development partners and their representatives.
Secretary General of the Tanzanian Association of Cashew Processors, John Joseph, lauded the initiative. He said the conference was an opportunity for the country to increase production and processing of the fruit. He further disclosed that Tanzania processes only 10 per cent of locally produced raw cashew nuts, exporting the rest.
Tanzania targets increasing cashews production to 1 million tons and processing 60 per cent of kernels with the 10/30 agenda of contributing 10 per cent of the national income.
