Odienné- Cashew production in the Odienné area has been growing steadily for three years, but the quality challenge remains to be met, notes the local head of the cashew cotton council, Issouf Konaté. 27% growth in production between 2019 and 2021 According to statistics provided by the regional delegation, the production area of ​​Odienné increased from 68,687 tonnes in 2019 to 94,659 tonnes in 2021, for a growth rate of more than 27%. The production of the zone, at the end of the 2020 campaign was 82,455 tons, an increase of 13,768 tons compared to 2o19. A gain in production practically doubled between 2020 and 2021, with a positive difference of 25,972 tonnes. Four regions namely Kabadougou, Folon, Bafing, Tonkpi for a total of 11 departments form the cashew cotton regional delegation of Odienné. Kabadougou, out of the total of 94,659 tonnes marketed in the area in 2021, provided 58,048 tonnes. Follows the Bafing with 19555 tons then the Folon (15909 tons) and finally the Tonkpi (460 tons). Producers in the area are increasingly applying good agricultural techniques while continuing to benefit from state support For the regional delegate of the cashew cotton council, the growing assimilation of good agricultural practices by producers explains the performance achieved. He also highlighted the government initiatives deployed in the area to support producers, as part of the reform of the sector. In particular, the cashew orchard rehabilitation program and the supply of improved plants that will enable the Odienné delegation to maintain growth. The area benefits from a rehabilitation project of 1117.5 ha (101.25 respectively for Kabadougou and Bafing, 375 ha for Tonkpi and 600 ha for Folon) at a cost of 322.5 million. In addition, 10,750 improved seedlings were made available to producers (the State subsidizes a seedling up to 450 CFA francs). Also from the Cashew Value Chain Competitiveness Promotion Project (PPAC), in its support component for smallholders. About fifty producers from Kabadougou and Bafing will benefit from it for loans ranging from 300 thousand CFA francs to 2.5 million. Nearly 90 million go At the structural level, Mr. Konaté welcomed the establishment in the area of ​​10 monitoring committees, out of 11 to be set up and, which contribute, through their activities, to the smooth running of the local sector. He delivered this information during the regional workshop to launch the activities of the watch committees for monitoring the marketing of cashew nuts, for the 2022 campaign, Thursday, February 3, in the capital of Kabadougou. An activity, under the leadership of the regional management of the cashew cotton council, coupled with an awareness session for local players in the sector in particular, on the need to work to improve the quality of the product. The Odienné delegation in search of quality Gathered on Friday February 4, 2022, in the meeting room of the regional council, these actors, including producers, were reminded of the good gestures, in particular the need to dry well, sort well and store the product well in jute bags. “Our major challenge is quality,†confided the local manager of the cashew sector marketing and management body. For the actions carried out, he noted the training of Professional Agricultural Organizations (OPA) on the issue and the provision of 30 kits for determining the KOR (moisture level and graining). Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest producer, is now working to become one of the reference states in terms of raw cashew nut quality with a KOR 52. The country went from 46 in 2013 to a KOR 48 in 2021. Ivorian production amounted to around one million tonnes at the end of the 2021 campaign. A record volume up 18% compared to the result recorded during the previous year (848,000 tonnes). The 2022 cashew nut marketing campaign opened on Friday, February 4. The Cotton and Cashew Council sent delegations to all the production areas to launch the activities of the monitoring committees. And to raise the awareness of the various players on the issue of quality. Also on the issue of product leakage to neighboring states.