MAFF assesses cashew crop yields in four provinces

MAFF assesses cashew crop yields in four provinces

Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) conducted an on-the-spot inspection of the yield situation for industrial crops, particularly cashews, across four provinces.

They also promoted the benefits of establishing modern farming communities to local cashew farmers, while the yields of cashew nuts are expected to surpass those of 2024, alongside high prices.

According to the statement of MAFF on Saturday, officials of the ministry led by Touch Bun Hour, MAFF Secretary of State, inspected cashew crop cultivation, warehouse locations, market conditions, and prices in Kampong Cham, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, and Ratanakiri provinces from February 16-20.

Bun Hour said that preliminary estimates indicate a lower cashew harvest in February compared to last year, attributed to the prolonged cold weather. However, he highlighted that the quality of this year’s cashew nuts is excellent, with larger nuts and better meat, suggesting that the yield could surpass that of 2024.

Hour also expressed that some farms have used excessive flowering stimulants, which has negatively impacted flower growth, causing them to weaken and fall off prematurely. These issues stem from farmer’ concerns that the cashews might not bloom or may bloom too sparsely, potentially risking their profits.

“The market situation and prices at the beginning of this year’s cashew season are as high as those in 2020, with prices ranging between 6,000 and 6,600 riel per kilogram,” Bun Hour emphasised.

During the inspection, Bun Hour told the cashew farmers about the benefits of establishing a modern farming community.

He said that the modern farming community offers numerous benefits, including access to capital, agricultural inputs, markets, clear production plans, and various other co-benefits.

While the formation of a modern farming community is voluntary, and not compulsory, Bun Hour stressed that one additional benefit of establishing these communities will have access to government loans with low interest rates.”

President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), Uon Silot said yesterday that at the start of this season, cashew prices are not only high but also stable, currently set at 6,400 riels per kilogram, with the lowest being 5,400 riels per kilogram.

Silot said that several factors contribute to the stable and favourable pricing of cashew nuts such as CAC has organized business matching, B2B, facilitating collaboration between sellers and buyers to reduce the circulation of cashew nuts outside the local market.

“Another important factor is the extended cold weather that has led to a continued low harvest, which in turn helps maintain higher prices this year,” he said.

Cambodia produced 850,000 tonnes of cashew nuts last year, up 26.8 percent and exported 815,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, up 31 percent. However, exports to Vietnam remained stagnant at 793,453 tonnes.

Separately, on Friday, Mirat Agritech Co., Ltd. and four agricultural communities in Kampong Thom province signed a purchase-sale agreement for 950 tonnes of wet cashew nuts. The signing ceremony was chaired by Nuon Pharath, Governor of Kampong Thom province.

Kampong Thom province holds significant potential in the agricultural sector, particularly in cashew cultivation, said Pharath, adding that cashew farming is an essential component of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s policies to strengthen and expand Cambodia’s agricultural sector, thereby supporting the national economy.

Pharath said that in Kampong Thom province, over 73 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture.

He recently visited the province to personally inspect the cashew community and promoted the modern farming community, where he introduced a comprehensive policy covering everything from cultivation to export, with the goal of positioning Cambodia as a leading exporter of cashews.

“I called on all cashew communities to cultivate in alignment with the needs of buyers and to maintain honesty between sellers and buyers,” said Pharath.

khmertimeskh