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Guinea grows about 5,000 tons of raw cashew nuts a year. Meanwhile, its much smaller neighbour Guinea-Bissau, with similar soil and climate, produces 80,000 tons. Encouraged by the growing consumer demand for cashews, Guinea has begun to focus on expanding cashew production—a good candidate for expansion, with 80% of Guineans dependent upon subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods.

Guinea’s climatic conditions, fertile soil and long rainy season are all favourable for growing large, high-quality cashews. International agencies have lent technical and financial support to help Guinean producers enhance their competitiveness in world markets. Over the last three years, the Global Development Alliance Partnership, encompassing several Guinean cashew cooperatives, the government, the US Agency for International Development and Kraft Foods, has helped Guinean farmers produce and sell cashews. The goal is to reduce poverty and secure a better economic future for the country. The partners have collaborated to provide technical support to community-based organizations.

Read further at the below link for their ambitious plans: 1,600 hectares of old cashew plantations rehabilitated, 12,000 hectares of new plantations made ready, improved seeds supplied and 1,600 farmers’ associations trained.