<p></p><p>There is certainly no doubt that cashewnut farming in the country is still an important cash crop earner to an estimated 300,000 small farmers with Mtwara and Lindi Regions taking the largest share of the industry. Recent statistics show that the crop covers an area of about 400,000h of which three quarters of the area is found in Mtwara and Lindi.</p> <p>As the country is currently implementing what is known as ”the big results now” initiative aimed at improving the economy, agricultural sector is recorded as the leading sector in this initiative. That is why however the country has now embarked on afresh bid to revive the industry after years of poor farming practices, by farmers which resulted in low earning. </p><p>To address the problem, cashewnut stakeholders have established an investment trust fund, called (CIDTF) Cashewnut Industry Development Trust Fund charged to spearhead the reviving war of the industry by giving active support in funding, training and playing an advisory role on how best to run the industry on a sustainable manner. CIDTF executive Secretary Suleiman Lenga has said in an interview that the programme will be implemented within three years starting from(2012-2015)with a total budget of 101 bn/-contributed by various stakeholders-including farmers coops unions, district councils cashewnut board (CBT), Naliendele Agriculture Research Institute and other partners. </p><p>The programme stresses on practical training rather than on theory with emphasis on application of improved seeds and planting of grafted seedlings which are partially or tolerant to diseases and pest attacks. A budget of 750.6 bn/ has been earmarked for running short courses during the three year period 30 bn/- also allocated for procurement of inputs and 5bn/- to be used for purchasing improved seeds and development of planting materials known as grafted seedlings all researched and developed by the Naliendele Research Institute. </p><p>CIDTF Agriculture Officer responsible for training and extension services Rashid Champuma points out that a total of 350 participants from 35 districts out of 43 have been selected to attend the four days of training workshops during 2014/2015 year alone consuming a budget of 230,965,000/-. </p><p>A further 800 trainees including community extension, agents farmer groups and nursery attendants from various villages in all cashew growing areas, completed courses in 2012-2013. </p><p>The Agriculture Officer believes that by imparting knowledge on Scientific farming, farmers will be able to run the industry on a profitable basis and alleviate abject poverty. </p><p>Already a strategic plan is in the offing to develop and distribute10,000 planting materials to farmers for 2014/2015 season out of 10,000,000 seedlings, expected to be planted in 43 districts during the three year period. </p><p>CIDTF says that the planting materials are capable of producing between15-20 kilogrammes per tree per annum compared to local cashew trees which produce between three and five kilogrammes of nuts per tree every year. </p><p>According to research findings. the improved seeds have the characteristics of producing improved nuts with more than 52 percent of kernel content in the pods. </p><p>The local breeds have less than 52 of kennel content in the pods. </p><p>And since the improved breeds are less vulnerable to diseases and pests, production cost is exceptionally low as they do not require heavy capital investment for purchasing pesticides to control pests and powdery mildew, say research findings.</p> <p>It is for this reason that the programme envisages to distribute10m/- improved seedlings to the farmers in the hope that the Country will be able to increase productions capacity by 150,000 tons of quality raw cashwnuts in 15 years to come. Current production stands at 160,000 ton (2012-2013) </p><p>As CIDTF expects a bright future of the Industry ‘s development, past production records show devastating effects to the welfare of the farmers.</p> <p>For instance in the 80s,cashew production plummeted an all time low of 16000 tons due to poor farming methods but gradually jumped to a staggering 160,000 tons during2011/2013 season. </p><p>Input component has been included in the operational process of the programme with a budget of 30bn/-. </p><p>CDITF officials say, at least,1000 tons of Sulphur dust to control powdery mildew disease has been earmarked durring2013/2014 season. </p><p>Inputs like insecticides, and motorized dust mist blowers have also been earmarked for purchase by the Fund. Statistics show that a total of 2000 motorised blowers will be procured, plus 310,000 litres of insecticides, all to cost 5,985,460,000 billion for the 2014/2015 farming season alone. </p><p>In addition, CIDTF has formulated short term priority plans for Cashew development Practices. The plans include planting of 1.5 million cashew trees between November 2013 and February 2014 as part of a five year cashew development plan which projects to plant 10 million cashew trees by the year 2015-2016. </p><p>Already three regions namely Dodoma, Singida and Morogoro have joined the club of cashew growers in anticipation of strengthening their economies. </p><p>CIDTF have distributed 500,000 improved seedlings and 20 tons 0f improved seeds to 30000 farmers in these regions planted on 10000 acres this season. </p><p>Many Stakeholders are optimistic that the establishment of the Fund will act as a catalyst in promoting the industry. Currently beset by poor farming methods. Globally a similar Fund was incepted in the Nertherlands in 2004 which provided for promoting various commodities including cash nuts in seven African countries of Malawi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania. The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), accorded Naliendele Research Centre as the head office and Coordinator of the regional Cashew improvement network for Eastern and Southern African Countries mainly for Cashew research and development. </p><p> </p><br><p></p>