Mr. Baah Abdullaih, a cashew farmer in the Bono Region, has urged government to establish a clear policy framework to regulate pricing in Ghana’s cashew market.
Mr. Abdullaih, who was adjudged the 2025 Dormaa Central Municipal Best Farmer, said the absence of a structured pricing regime leaves farmers vulnerable to exploitation by buyers.
In an interview at Amasu, he explained that despite the heavy investment and labour involved in cashew production, farmers often receive inconsistent and sometimes unfair prices because there is no standardised market control system.
“It is unfortunate that after all the hard work, buyers can short-change farmers due to the lack of a uniform pricing structure,” he said.
According to him, introducing a well-defined pricing framework would help sanitise the sector, ensure transparency and enable farmers to earn fair returns on their produce.
He noted that guaranteed or benchmark pricing, similar to what exists in the cocoa sector, would motivate farmers to expand production and improve the quality of their nuts.
“Just like cocoa farmers, we also need a cashew farmer card,” he said, stressing that proper documentation and regulation would strengthen traceability and accountability within the industry.
Mr. Abdullaih further called on government to fast-track the establishment of a Cashew Board to coordinate and promote the interests of producers nationwide.
He explained that such a board would serve as a representative body to advocate solutions to the challenges confronting cashew farmers, including pricing, market access and input support.
“The Board is needed to represent farmers and address our concerns at the national level,” he added.
He also emphasised the importance of strengthening farmer associations to enhance collective bargaining power and improve engagement with policymakers and buyers.
Beyond pricing concerns, Mr. Abdullaih highlighted the need for dedicated extension services for the cashew sector, similar to the support structures available to cocoa farmers.
He said extension officers would provide technical guidance on best agronomic practices, pest control and post-harvest handling to improve yields and quality standards.
“If the cashew sector receives the right technical and policy support, it can thrive and contribute significantly to the national economy,” he stated.
Mr. Abdullaih described cashew as an “economic tree” with enormous potential to improve rural livelihoods, particularly in the Bono and other cashew-growing regions.
He expressed optimism that with stronger institutional backing, transparent pricing mechanisms and improved farmer organisation, the cashew industry could become a more sustainable and rewarding venture for producers across the country.
