ISHS Acta Horticulturae 794: II International Symposium on Improving the Performance of Supply Chains in the Transitional Economies
ACCESSING THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR CASHEW KERNEL BY RURAL-BASED PROCESSORS: THE PHILIPPINE EXPERIENCE |
| Author: | R.S.M. Dela Cruz |
| Keywords: | cashew nut, kernel quality, shelling, rural structures, value-adding activities, supply chain |
| Abstract:
The commercial development of the cashew (Anacardium occidentale) in the Philippines has proceeded at a snails pace for many reasons, foremost of which is the poor technology to facilitate the extraction of quality kernels from the nuts. With appropriate technology and local support, a small scale rural-based cashew nut processing enterprise has achieved sustained production and developed a niche in the international market. Aside from the increased and more stable income enjoyed by the adopters of the processing technology, this rural-based enterprise has created a ready market for locally produced nuts, retained the value-added activities and provided a source of livelihood for the resource poor cashew growers, empowered rural women and improved and/or expanded the cultivation of cashew within the community. The results emphasize the importance of institutional support in improving and/or developing a supply chain for processed cashew kernel. Support from the government in developing appropriate processing technologies and its catalytic role in providing assistance in the establishment of new income-generating activities in rural communities; the concerted efforts of private and government institutions in providing technical, credit and market assistance; and the continuing efforts of the early adopters to improve their processing activities have been instrumental in the success. | |
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