Poor cashew harvest in Bounkani, Côte d’Ivoire

The cashew marketing campaign in Côte d’Ivoire is in full swing, with the Cotton and Cashew Council projecting over 1.3 million tonnes this year. While national production remains robust compared to recent seasons, forecasts indicate a potential decline of 200,000 tonnes from last year’s output. However, certain regions face significant challenges, particularly due to erratic rainfall patterns. The Bounkani region in the northeast is one such area grappling with the consequences of delayed and inconsistent rainy seasons.

Climate disruptions hit cashew farmers hard

From Bouna, the impacts of this season’s irregular rainfall are starkly evident. Kouamé Ouattara, a local cashew farmer managing a 3-hectare plantation, describes his current situation as “technical unemployment.” He explains, “Three years ago, I could harvest 500 kg per hectare. This year, I barely managed to gather two bags from the entire 3 hectares.” Ouattara attributes the poor yield to disrupted rainfall patterns: “Typically, heavy rains between November and December promote flowering in cashew trees. This year, however, the rains stopped in October. There was no precipitation from October through February, leaving the trees unable to flower properly. When flowering fails once, farmers must wait until the next season.”

Beekeepers also feel the sting of reduced harvests

The consequences extend beyond cashew production. Beekeepers who maintain hives within cashew plantations are experiencing dramatically lower honey yields. Koffi Ouattara, president of the Koflangué beekeepers’ association, notes, “This season, we’ve barely produced 30 litres of honey compared to 100 litres last year. It’s a significant loss for our community.”

Farming practices need urgent review

While climate factors play a major role, experts point to ineffective farming practices as a contributing issue. Dr. Sibirina Soro, a researcher at Daloa University and coordinator of the national cashew research project, highlights the problem: “Many plantations resemble forests rather than structured orchards. The initial planting density was not respected, leading to overcrowded trees that compete for resources. The recommended density is 100 trees per hectare.” Soro also emphasizes the importance of training farmers to combat pest infestations and adopt better agricultural methods, as chemical use is minimal in Ivorian cashew farming.

Soro conducts annual training sessions to educate farmers on pest management and sustainable practices. He stresses the need for stronger support systems to help farmers adapt to changing conditions and mitigate losses during poor harvest seasons.