Bono region: Cashew farmers in the Bono Region are advocating for the establishment of an annual fixed producer price for raw cashew nuts (RCNs), arguing that the current system of merely setting a minimum price leaves them susceptible to price manipulation by aggregators.
According to Ghana Web, the farmers are pushing for a pricing model similar to that used in the cocoa sector, which they believe would stabilize their incomes and curb opportunistic underpricing. This would enable producers to receive fair returns on their produce. Presently, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), which regulates the industry, announces a minimum producer price each year before the harvest season, which buyers are expected to adhere to. However, farmers report that aggregators often offer prices significantly below this benchmark, particularly during times of surplus supply.
The issue was highlighted during a training session for leaders of cashew farmer cooperatives as part of the ‘Amplifying the Voices of Cashew F
armers’ project, implemented by Cashew Watch Ghana. The event, held in Sampa in the Jaman North district, aimed to enhance advocacy, leadership, and negotiation skills to empower cooperatives to influence policy and governance within the sector.
Daniel Munufie, Chairman of the Bono Cashew Farmers Cooperative, emphasized that a fixed price would enable farmers to plan their operations more effectively and ensure income certainty amid growing global demand for RCNs. He noted that for the 2024/2025 season, the minimum price was set at GHS15 per kilogramme, yet some aggregators managed to push it down to as low as GHS5/kg, citing unjustified reasons.
Munufie also raised alarms about the manipulation of weighing scales in local RCN trading, alleging that many aggregators tamper with their scales to exploit farmers. This malpractice is reportedly prevalent among itinerant buyers who purchase nuts directly from farms. Despite regulations limiting RCN aggregation to licensed firms, unregistered buyers continue to d
ominate portions of the market, exacerbating scale manipulation and income losses.
Munufie called on the TCDA to enhance enforcement, crack down on illegal aggregators, and ensure the use of standardized, certified weighing scales to protect farmers and restore trust in the domestic trading system.
During the training session, Francisca Adorkor-Khein, Bono Regional Director of the Department of Cooperatives, encouraged cooperative leaders to become reliable representatives capable of engaging effectively with both key institutions and their members. She stressed the importance of strong communication skills, participatory decision-making, and promoting mutual benefit across groups.
Raphael Godlove Ahenu, National Coordinator of Cashew Watch Ghana, highlighted the necessity of strengthening the leadership capacity of cashew farmers to improve their livelihoods. He pointed out that farmers face challenges such as volatile prices, limited market information, and weak bargaining power, making targeted trainin
g essential for effective advocacy for sector reforms.