Without doubt the farming sector provides a huge job opportunity for most Ghanaians, both the educated and the uneducated, especially in the Jama-South district of the Brong-Ahafo region. Cashew nut is one of several farming opportunities for most people who venture into cashew nut farming.
But it cannot all be rosy. In an interview with Mr. Solomon Tang, a member of the Cashew-nut Farmers Association in the Brong-Ahafo region, he was categorical that cashew nut farmers produced enough for the Ghanaian markets though but unfortunately, their products do not receive the maximum patronage from the local populace as its rather traders from such countries as China and the Ivory Coast who patronize them more.
Furthermore, the cashew nut farmers in the Brong-Ahafo region, specifically in the Jaman-South district are in a state of despair as a result of severe challenges that they are forced to endure which is resulting in their inability to produce to their maximum yield.
He however was worried about these traders who always came in to dictate what prices to pay for their products. This according to him goes against the interests of the hardworking farmers.
Commenting on the benefits of cashew-nuts, Mr. Tang who revealed that in the 1980s, the people of Jaman were more into cocoa farming cocoa but were now producing cashew as a result of the many fire out-breaks said cashew nut has many uses including such elements as creams and drugs among others.
On cashew nut production proper, Mr. Tang disclosed that the production of the crop usually took about three years.
Source: ritefmonline.org
