GIEPA gives processing machine to cashew farmers

The machine, hand over on Friday at the community development office in Brikama, was provided in collaboration with the Enhancement Integrated Framework (EIF) project of the Ministry of Trade.

Officials said the machine was manufactured in The Gambia, and it can process both cashew and vegetables.It can process 25 kilos per hour.

The acting Regional Director of Agriculture for West Coast Region, Isatou Jarju-Camara, said cashew processing is one of the steps that needed to be taken towards the realisation of the Vision 2016 food self-sufficiency goal.

She said the machine will go a long way in helping to address post-harvest loses during the cashew season.A lot of cashew apples are wasted during harvest time, due to inadequate processing machine in the country.

Mrs Jarju-Camara hailed GIEPA and EIF for their timely intervention, while calling on cashew farmers to be business-minded and put the machine into good use.

The president of cashew farmers, Alieu B.A. Faye, said the machine will help them save labour and time, as well as improve their income earning.

He applauded the donors and assured all that the machine will be used wisely.

Mariama Fatajo, director of Business and Export Development at GIEPA, said the cashew apple has been wasting over the years in the country due to lack of processing facilities.

This is why GIEPA deemed it necessary to partner with EIF to give support to the cashew farmers in the country, she said.

A representative of the EIF project, Modou Touray, said the project has been supporting the cashew farmers in areas like training on good agricultural practices.

Mr Touray urged the cashew farmers to maintain the machine as a business enterprise.