| Increasing
farmer incomes through improved farm management,
organic certification and fair trade labeling of
cashew nut production in Masasi District, Tanzania. |
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Cashew
nuts. |
This project
is focusing on the rural communities of Masasi District
in the South of Tanzania. Cashew nut is the main
cash crop in this area. Attempts are being made
to increase cashew yields as well as obtaining organic
and fair trade certification.
Focus of the project will be on farmer organisation
as a means to empower farmers and link them to markets
through farmer business units. These units will
also enable farmers to adapt existing technologies
to their farm situation.
Through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), the techniques
to be introduced include sanitation, organic pest
and disease control, planting improved varieties
and improving soil fertility.
Project implementers
Dutch Connexxion, a private company providing linkages
in the cashew industry and based in Masasi, is leading
a consortium of partners in implementing this project.
These partners are as follows:
<
AgroECo Tanzania – A consultancy company in
organic agriculture;
<
Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute, Mtwara
– a research institute with a focus on cashew;
<
National Micro-finance Bank (NMB),
Tanzania – a commercial
bank developing financial products
for smallholder farmers; and,
<
DESEMP-PP – This project is co-funded as a
quick win within the preparatory phase of the District
Economic and Social Empowerment program.
The purpose of the project is to improve the standards
of living for 1000 smallholder cashew farmers in
Masasi District. Funding comes from a three-year
MATF grant, which commenced in October 2007. It’s
expected that certification will guarantee sustainability
beyond the project period. This is because certifiers
will continue to give follow-up on the cashew quality
management and production systems. |
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MATF
| FARM-Africa
Kenya Country Office
Studio House, 4th Floor
Argwings Kodhek Road, Hurlingham
The Fund Manager, MATF,
PO Box 49502, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: +254 20-2732044/2203/1664
E-mail:
info@maendeleo-atf.org |
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