Ivory Coast a country located in West Africa stands out with its vast cashew plantations and has risen to become the world's largest cashew producer with an expected production of approximately 1 million tons in 2024 Ivory Coast continues to maintain its Global Leadership in Cashew production the country accounts for around 20% of the world's total cashew output showcasing the strength of its agricultural sector in supplying this popular food product cashews are the primary source of income for over 600,000 households contributing billions of US dollars to export revenues annually in 2023 Ivory Coast exported cashews worth $3 billion cementing its role as a robust economic pillar for the nation behind every cashew nut lies the hard work and dedication of Ivory Coast farmers for them it's not just a job but a mission to elevate the nation's cashew brand on the international market welcome to Green agriculture technology embark on the Journey of harvesting millions of cashews with the people of Ivory Coast have you ever wondered what the cashew harvesting process looks like watch this video till the end to discover the amazing journey behind [Music] cashews first the soil must be prepared cashew trees thrive in Sandy LOM soil with good drainage and a pH level between 5. 5 and 7. 0 the soil should be fertile and well drained to prevent water logging creating ideal conditions for the trees to grow cashew seeds can be selected either from direct propagation of the mother tree or from high quality commercial seeds choosing the right seeds plays a crucial role in ensuring the robust growth of the trees therefore seeds must be carefully selected only seeds free from pests deformities or damage should be used when the cashew saplings reach a height of 15.
75 to 23. 62 in it is the ideal time to transplant them into fields or Orchards cashews are typically planted during the rainy season as the moist soil helps the roots establish and grow effectively the recommended spacing between trees is 26. 25 Ft by 26.
25 ft ensuring adequate room in sunlight dig a hole 11. 81 to 15. 75 in deep and 15.
75 in wide add a layer of fertilizer at the base place the seedling or sapling into the hole and carefully cover it with soil to support Healthy Growth during the growth stage cashew trees require ample water especially during the dry season to ensure vigorous development at the same time an efficient drainage system is crucial for maintaining tree Health preventing root rot and diseases caused by water logging to ensure Healthy Growth of cashew trees it is a essential to regularly remove dry branches pest infested branches and weeds around the base this practice not only helps the tree concentrate nutrients on vital Parts but also creates a well-ventilated environment reducing the risk of pest and disease spread [Music] [Music] the Ivory Coast leads the world in Cashew production boasting nearly 1. 4 million hectares of cultivated land here cashew trees begin to bloom at the end of the dry season from December to February under radiant sunlight in optimal soil moisture conditions this period is ideal for the trees to Showcase their delicate clusters of blossoms cashew flowers in soft Hues of pale yellow or pinkish white emit a gentle fragrance that not only enchants passers by but also attracts insects playing a vital role in the pollination process the Ivory Coast leads the world in Cashew production boast nearly 1. 4 million hectares of cultivated land here cashew trees begin to bloom at the end of the dry season from December to February under radiant sunlight and optimal soil moisture conditions this period is ideal for the trees to Showcase their delicate clusters of blossoms cashew flowers in soft Hues of pale yellow or pinkish white emit a gentle fragrance that not only enchants passers by but also attracts insects playing a vital role in the pollination process cashew trees start yielding Harvest after 3 to 4 years of cultivation reaching full maturity the ripeness of the cashew is signaled when the outer shell transitions from green to shades of brown or red marking the perfect time for Harvest do you know why cashews are so expensive cashews are costly because the trees require 3 to 5 years to mature initially and 8 to 12 years to reach Peak production capacity harvesting is primarily done by hand with Farmers collecting the fruits as they naturally fall or ripen [Music] to save effort they use long poles to gently knock branches especially for taller trees timing is crucial only dry fruits with bright red or yellow Hues are [Music] harvested ensuring fully ripen nuts with lasting quality [Music] cashews must be harvested at full ripeness to ensure their optimal flavor in nutritional value these factors significantly impact not only the quality of the product but also its market [Music] value therefore every step from Tree Care to harvesting must be carried out meticulously and with strict adherence to proper [Music] techniques this forms a seamless production chain ensuring the delivery of highquality cashews to Consumers [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] with modern technology farmers can now utilize Advanced cashew fruit and nut separators these machines are compact measuring just 47.
24 by 35. 43 by 78. 7 4 in and weighing 264.
50 lb equipped with a 6. 5 horsepower engine imported from Thailand they run on gasoline consuming only 0. 317 Gall per hour while achieving an impressive 661.
pbp the sturdy iron coated frame ensures durability making it ideal for Harsh working environments [Music] after harvesting cashews are sundried to reduce their moisture content ensuring long-term preservation and maintaining top quality the nuts are spread evenly on flat surfaces like tarps or cement yards to allow sunlight to reach every kernel evenly the drying process takes 2 to 3 days depending on weather conditions and the initial moisture level of the nuts Sun drying not only effectively dehydrates the cashews but also lowers costs compared to Industrial drying while retaining their distinct natural [Music] flavor the cashew begin their Journey to the factory where each nut undergo a meticulous processing routine sacks of cashews are delivered to the receiving area where they are sorted cleaned and processed through several stages in preparation for refinement and packaging when cashews arrive at the factory they are introduced into a specialized washing system designed to handle large volumes efficiently initially the cashews are cleaned with purified water often undergoing agitation or scrubbing to remove stubborn particles they are then rinsed again to ensure complete cleanliness an effective drainage system eliminates excess water preventing the nuts from becoming overly damp [Music] next is the roasting stage an essential step to enhance the flavor and crunchiness of cashews the nuts are roasted at high temperatures bringing out their natural taste while eliminating excess moisture The Roasting time and temperature can be adjusted flexibly to achieve optimal results depending on the desired flavor profile and level of crispness shelling is a crucial step to extract the delicious cashew kernels within at large processing facilities Modern Machinery equipped with pressure systems rollers or blades is used for fast and precise shelling Advanced cashew shelling machines boast impressive productivity processing between 44.
