Newly-appointed members of the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania (CBT) are facing the tough job of effectively addressing the challenges faced by cashew nut stakeholder as outlined by the government. The new board ends over two-and-a-half years of operation without an oversight body for the crop dubbed ‘white gold’. In November 2018, President John Magufuli disbanded the CBT and revoked appointment of its chairperson, Ms Anna Abdallah, over inefficiency. President Samia Suluhu Hassan appointed Brigadier General Aloyce Mwanjile as the new CBT chairman, tasked with ensuring that the fortunes of the crop grow while bridging the gap between the government and farmers. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa and Agriculture deputy minister Hussein Bashe addressed the board on Thursday, instructing it to ensure that agricultural inputs are available in time, coordinate agricultural stakeholders, ensure access to reliable markets, strengthen research, and improve the quality of cashew storage facilities. Other directives are ensuring that Mtwara port is well utilised for importation of inputs and export of cashew nuts; establishing the new composition and responsibilities of the Cashewnut Industry Development Trust Fund (CIDTF) whose operation was suspended and identification and recognition of cashews stakeholders. Speaking earlier, Mr Majaliwa said the board should smoothly coordinate stakeholders in research, preparation of the crop calendar and make better use of extension officers in the respective areas.