Côte d’Ivoire’s cashew harvest faces setback in Bounkani

The cashew nut marketing campaign in Côte d’Ivoire is in full swing, with the Cotton and Cashew Council projecting slightly over 1.3 million tons this year. While production remains robust compared to previous seasons, it is expected to drop by 200,000 tons compared to last year. Certain regions, particularly in the northeast, are grappling with challenges due to irregular rainfall patterns, notably in Bounkani.

From Bouna, our special correspondent reports on the dire situation.

Kouamé Ouattara, a cashew farmer managing a 3-hectare plantation, finds himself effectively sidelined this season. “Three years ago, I could harvest 500 kg per hectare. This year, I barely managed to gather two bags from the entire 3 hectares,” he laments. Ouattara attributes the decline to disrupted rainfall patterns. “Typically, heavy rains from November to December enable the cashew trees to flower. This year, however, the rains stopped in October. From October through January, February, and beyond, there was no rain at all. Once flowering fails, you have to wait until the next year. So, the harvest has failed entirely.”

The impact extends beyond cashew farmers. Beekeepers who maintain hives within cashew plantations are also suffering from drastically reduced honey production. Koffi Ouattara, president of the Koflangué beekeepers’ association, notes, “We’re currently unable to produce enough honey. Last year, we harvested 100 liters; this year, we’re down to just 30 liters. It’s a significant loss for us.”

Farming practices need urgent improvement

While climate factors play a role, experts point to poor agricultural practices as a major contributor to the crisis. Dr. Sibirina Soro, a lecturer-researcher at Daloa University and national coordinator of the cashew research project, explains, “Much of the problem stems from improper tree density in plantations. Many orchards resemble dense forests because initial planting densities were not respected. The recommended density is 100 trees per hectare, but many plots exceed this by far.”

Soro also highlights the need for better training to combat pest infestations. He emphasizes the importance of supporting farmers, as many in Côte d’Ivoire avoid chemical pesticides in their cashew fields, leaving them more vulnerable to crop losses during poor harvest years.