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| Delegates at the 6th ACA Confab (Pix: Msjoof) |
The 6th Africa Cashew Alliance (ACA) Annual Conference, which is
on the verge of becoming “one of the biggest cashew gatherings” kicks-off at a
local hotel in the town of Kololi, situated west of the Gambian capital, Banjul
on September 19, 2011.
The event, ending on September 22, is being held under the theme “Bringing
the Cashew World Together!” It is organized by the ACA in cooperation with the
Cashew Alliance of The Gambia (CAG), with a record 350 delegates from around
the world attending.
During the four-day conference, a series of issues critical to the
development and sustainability of the cashew industry will be discussed, among
them, a vision for the Africa cashew industry – the ACA quality and
sustainability seal; Agric business potentials; new market trends and
opportunities for Africa; trends and technology – where next for cashew
processing.
Another activity running alongside the ACA Conference is the “World Cashew
Expo”. The exhibition will host equipment manufacturers, national cashew
associations and input and service suppliers from around the world.
The Gambia has been identified as a regional center for cashew trade and is
renowned for its premium quality of raw cashew nuts. “We have organised a
multifaceted programme offering unprecedented business opportunities for anyone
with an interest in the cashew sector – from local producers to international
stakeholders,” the acting ACA President Mr Idrissa Kilangi said in his welcome remarks
on Monday.
“With the launch of the first World Cashew Expo and the simultaneous meeting
of the Global Cashew Task Force, the 6th ACA Conference is promising
to turn into one of the biggest cashew gatherings to date, living up to this
year’s ambitious aim of “Bringing the Cashew World Together!”
During a press briefing, USAID Contractor and Communications Manager Mr
Joseph Lamport of the Accra-based West Africa Trade Hub said the ACA’s primary
goal is to promote a globally competitive African cashew industry.
Mr Lamport noted that the ACA’s formation in 2006 has given cashew farmers
and dealers the opportunity to add value to their products and as well serves
as a job creation avenue in a continent that has witnessed a high unemployment
rate.
The three strategic objectives of the ACA are to increase processing of
cashew in Africa, improve competitiveness and sustainability of the cashew
industry, and facilitate public-private cooperation for the cashew sector.
However, Mr Lamport noted that the processing part is “very important”
because it adds value to the product for farmers and move them away from being
price takers but instead price givers.
- Author: Modou S. Joof for The Voice Newspaper
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