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By Wilmot Konah /Contact: 0555666441 / 0775793638 | Email: [email protected]
Gbarnga, Bong County – April 24, 2024:
Liberia’s agricultural landscape is gradually embracing a new frontier of opportunity—cashew farming. As the nation pivots toward expanding its cash crop portfolio, cashew is emerging as a high-potential commodity capable of transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and contributing significantly to national economic growth.
Dr. James Dolo, Agronomist and Head of the Crops Program at the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), highlights cashew as a strategic crop with multiple benefits.
“Cashew has great potential to improve smallholder farmers’ incomes while enhancing nutritional outcomes,” Dr. Dolo explained. “It is rich in essential minerals like copper, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, which support bone health, immunity, and overall wellness. Its high protein content also makes it a nutritious, energy-sustaining food.”
He stressed that while Liberia’s agricultural sector has traditionally focused on subsistence farming, shifting attention to commercial crops like cashew could mark a turning point in improving rural incomes. “We must encourage more farmers to adopt cashew as part of their income-generating strategy,” he said. Cashew is already recognized in Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan as a priority crop for promoting economic diversification and rural development.
Cashew Farming on the Rise
Among the trailblazers in the local cashew movement is Henries Farm, a Liberian-owned agribusiness engaged in cashew production and value addition. According to General Manager Winleta Aynn Henries, the farm currently operates over four acres of cashew trees and has recorded two consecutive years of harvest.
Henries Farm is going beyond cultivation—they are innovating cashew-based products. “We’ve been producing juice from cashew apples and distilling alcohol through fermentation,” said Henries. “While we’re not yet marketing these products commercially, early feedback on our samples has been very promising.”
Looking ahead, Henries Farm is scaling up operations. “We are following expert advice to replant and expand,” Henries noted. “We’ve sorted seeds, established a nursery, and are preparing additional land to grow more trees. We aim to lead a commercial agriculture revolution, using cashew as a key driver.”
The enterprise anticipates a significantly larger harvest in the 2026 season, a sign of their growing confidence in cashew’s potential.
Elsewhere in Bong County, Nai-Ka-Kai Enterprise is playing a pivotal role in advancing cashew farming by offering hands-on training and distributing seedlings to local farmers. The enterprise is focused on expanding its operations to additional counties, to extend the benefits of cashew farming to more rural communities across Liberia.
A Call for Investment
There is a growing consensus among agricultural experts and entrepreneurs that cashew cultivation has the potential to revolutionize Liberian farming. With adequate support, such as access to finance, technical training, and market linkages, cashew farming can significantly reduce poverty, improve food security, and position Liberia as a competitive force in the global cashew market.
“I urge other farmers to join us in this venture,” said Winleta Aynn Henries. “Starting may seem challenging, but once you get going, it becomes much easier and rewarding.”
Dr. James Dolo also underscored cashew’s promise, emphasizing its potential to rival, if not exceed, the benefits of Liberia’s other traditional cash crops. “Cashew is a game-changer for our agricultural sector,” he declared. “The time to act is now—let’s seize this opportunity and make it a cornerstone of our agricultural economy.”
Changing Perceptions of Cashew
In Liberia, cashew is often seen merely as a sweet fruit or a source of juice, with some even using its acidic fluid for traditional tattooing. However, these limited uses barely begin to tap into the crop’s full potential. Beyond its impressive nutritional and health benefits, cashew offers significant economic and agricultural value.
Cashew cultivation could drive rural development by creating new income streams for smallholder farmers. With the right infrastructure, Liberians could tap into the international cashew market, which is growing rapidly due to the increasing global demand for cashew nuts.
In addition to the raw nuts, processed cashew products like cashew juice, oil, and even cosmetics hold promising market potential. This expansion would not only boost farmer incomes but also create jobs in processing, packaging, and distribution, further energizing the local economy.
Moreover, cashew trees are highly resilient, making them an ideal crop for regions affected by climate change. The deep root systems of cashew trees help prevent soil erosion, contributing to sustainable land management practices. As the demand for sustainable agricultural practices grows globally, cashew farming could become an attractive option for both local and international investors.
Liberian Government Commitment
At a recent stakeholder engagement in Monrovia, Hon. Moses Gbayan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Research, Extension, and Regional Development, reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to advancing the cashew sector. Speaking to an audience of farmers, agricultural experts, and development partners, Minister Gbayan emphasized the crucial role that cashew farming could play in Liberia’s agricultural transformation.
During the event, he announced the government’s ambitious plans to establish 10,000 hectares of greenfield cashew plantations across the country. This initiative is a central part of the government’s broader agricultural development strategy and will be implemented through a smallholder support program. The goal is to provide farmers with the necessary resources, technical support, and market linkages to successfully cultivate cashew as a commercial crop.
“We are committed to making cashew a key driver of economic growth and rural development,” Minister Gbayan stated. He highlighted the potential for cashew to become a cornerstone of Liberia’s agricultural exports, fostering job creation, increasing incomes for farmers, and contributing to national economic diversification.
The greenfield plantation project is expected to not only expand Liberia’s cashew production capacity but also introduce modern farming techniques and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and environmental stewardship. The initiative will focus on smallholder farmers, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in a growing global cashew market.
This bold commitment from the government reflects its recognition of the economic potential of cashew as a viable cash crop. It also marks a strategic pivot towards market-oriented agriculture, moving beyond traditional subsistence farming practices. Through this program, the government hopes to empower rural communities, reduce poverty, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
