Techiman: The Cashew Farmers Association in the Bono East Region has urged the government to implement measures to stabilize the price of cashew nuts, a vital economic crop for the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the farmers expressed optimism that the government would also consider reducing taxes on the export of cashew products. This appeal coincides with Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson’s presentation of the first Business Statement and Economic Policy in parliament.
In an interview at Techiman, farmers noted that price instability is negatively impacting their economic activities, leading to financial losses. They emphasized the need for a fixed price for cashew nuts, similar to the pricing strategy used for cocoa. Mr. Agyemang Kodom, Union Chairman for the Cashew Farmers Association in Jema, Kintampo South District, highlighted the importance of the cashew sector, which contributes approximately 50 percent of the nation’s foreign income earnings.
Mr. Kodom pointed out the high taxes on agro-chemicals, including fertilizers, as a significant barrier to the growth of the sector, making it less attractive to younger generations. He advocated for the establishment of factories and storage facilities to enable farmers to add value to cashew nuts and apples, noting the economic crop’s broader benefits beyond the nuts. He further called on the government to support farm expansion initiatives.