The Popularity of Anacardium occidentale (Cashew nut) growth in Ghana

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Hello Everyone in Steem!,

In brief I'm @oppongk, and I want thank @projectHOPE for hosting many of us who share the project contents here daily. This is my first project post I want to share with guys here. In fact you are all doing great job.

I want to introduce you a very cash crop which has become popular right now in Ghana. That is "Anacardium occidentale" commonly known as cashew nut. About fifty years back Ghana is noted to have been well known in cocoa growing and producing country, and even today as we speak now. We thought that cocoa was the only solution to reduce the high economic crisis Ghana is facing now. But, I can say that that was a fallacy and shallow thought, since today, most cocoa farms have burnt and others infected with diseases and pest. Cocoa are prone to fire damage compare to Anacardium occidentale which more fire resistant and can withstand pest and diseases. Many farmers who were rating cocoa over any other cash crops have now realized the need to grow more cashew as substitute for cocoa.

I have two friends who are circuit supervisors in Ghana Education services who have started cashew growth projects since last to years. They informed me about this project last year about the benefit that cashew production could fetch and I did take them seriously. But, just yesterday, the one who started last year showed me the picture of his Anacardium occidentale and it's above his height, about 6ft. According to him his other colleague who started two years has been plucking some of the nuts. Comparably to cocoa, the cashew plant is fast growing crop. The cashew crop response to agronomic practices and also easy response to treatment.

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Many people are also engaged in cashew projects recently, especially where there are frequent outbreak of fire. So, in the area where I'm residing now people are doing it in collateral basis, where the land owner will lease the land for the farmer to grow the cashew, when they mature they share the farm into two equal parts. Very soon I want to acquire to also begin my cashew projects. The crop is prolific growth growth as one tree can fetch you more nuts.

I've also learnt that there are other health benefits that we can derive from cashew nuts. Studies shows that the nuts are fortified with protein for growth of muscles. Cashew nuts also contain some important elements like: iron, zinc, potassium and copper. We know how essential are these elements to our bodies; some prevent anaemia, removing toxins and healing cancer in our bodies. Regular consumption clear our eyes and help us to improve our vision. The nuts are used for making oil for human consumption. It is a means of generating income to reduce economic hardship. In my next post I would like to share some of the cashew projects we are doing in Ghana. Thanks for your support in this project.