<p>Cotonou houses since 18 September, the 11 th annual conference of African Cashew Alliance (ACA) on cashew. At the opening of the work within the scope of this conference which brings together over 200 delegates, the Minister of State for Planning and Development, Abdoulaye Bio Tchane reiterated the commitment of the Government of Benin to the cashew sector, socio-economic development factor in 2016-2021 as part of the government action program.</p> <p>" <em><strong>The Benin, like all other producing countries understood the importance and the interest that is of cashew in the socio-economic development, not only for revenue generation but also and especially for create jobs especially in rural areas. This is why the government action program retained in respect of priorities, the sector cashew on the list of leading agricultural sectors to be specific actions for its development</strong></em><strong> </strong> ", said the Minister of State Bio Tchane.</p> <p>According to him, Benin still have to play its part to ensure the die cashew sustainable performance to service not only the players but also the economies of our countries in the fight against poverty and for job creation. " The potential of this sector is no longer any doubt ... Cashew ranks high on the list of opportunities we must seize to make cashew sector socio-economic development factor ," said Abdoulaye Bio Tchane.</p> <p>It should be noted that in Benin, the cashew sector contributes to 03% of Gross National Product (GNP) and 07% of gross domestic product (GDP). Cashew plantations cover over 190,000 hectares mainly in central and northern Benin. In 2016, the total cashew production in Benin is estimated at 100,000 tons and corresponds to ¼ of exported agricultural products. The cashew sector is working in the country more than 200,000 farmers and several units of transformations as artisanal and semi-industrial.</p>