[Mali]: 2ND EDITION OF THE SAHELIAN CAJOU FORUM (FOCAS): THE ACTORS COMMIT THEMSELVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECTOR

August 09, 2019

THE SALAM HOTEL SERVED AS THE SETTING FOR THE TRADITIONAL ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CASHEW INDUSTRY LEADERS ON AUGUST 5, 6 AND 7, 2019.

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THEY CAME FROM ALL OVER AFRICA FOR THE OCCASION. IT WAS ON THE THEME: "IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF THE CASHEW VALUE CHAIN IN SAHELIAN COUNTRIES". 

THE CEREMONY WAS CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LASSINE DEMBÉLÉ. HE HAD AT HIS SIDE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CASHEW INTERPROFESSION OF MALI (IPROFAM), IBRAHIM TOGOLA, THAT OF THE AFRICAN CASHEW ALLIANCE, FLORENTINO NANQUE, AND SEVERAL MANAGERS OF THE CASHEW NUT SECTOR .

At the opening of the meeting, the President of IPROFAM, Ibrahim Togola emphasized the importance of the production of cashew nuts which is grown in Kayes, Koulikoro, Sikasso and Ségou, but said he "this one is very marginalized in the economic fabric of our country".And to add that it is difficult for our farmers, our traders including our processors to be accompanied by our financial institutions (Bank and MFI for example) during the cashew campaign.

For him, the cashew industry has suffered a lot this year, particularly because of an unexpected drop in prices of raw nuts. According to him, these malfunctions have not only caused the low rate of transformation in our countries, not to mention the difficulty of mobilizing internal financing from our financial institutions.

All things, explains the president of IPROFAM Ibrahim Togola, which makes this sector dependent on international buyers who, moreover, set prices at their own discretion. Thus, the boss of this agricultural structure recalled that the nuts have increased from more than 600 CFA per kilogram edge fields in 2018 to less than 80 FCFA per kilo this year and this, in several localities of the country.

Before inviting decision-makers to better support cashew industry players in the region to promote this profitable production for the good of our people.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture Lassine Dembélé said that the cashew sector plays an important role in the national economy of African countries and contributes to the creation of jobs. He also reassured the actors, the support of his department can make this sector a development tool by all in Mali.

Mamadou DOLO

doloyabara91@yahoo . fr

Source: Infosept/ Bamada