Burkinabe Cashew Processors Use Radio to Sensitize Local Farmers to International Market Situation

When confronted with a problematic market situation early this cashew season, cashew processors in Burkina Faso decided to take action via a unique tool: the radio.

In March, RCN prices in Burkina were higher or equivalent to the other countries of the sub-region. However, farmers were still holding nuts, hoping that the prices will increase more. Farmers are typically not aware of current price trend in the international and West African market. In addition, they often do not realize that to be competitive, the Burkinabe nut needs to be cheaper than in other countries due to the transport costs.

This created serious problems for Burkinabe cashew processors, who were not able to procure the necessary stocks of raw nuts at market price. The practice could also be harmful for farmers if prices were to continue to decrease. Thus, the ACA National Committee in Burkina Faso held a meeting to discuss strategies to address this problem. They decided to inform farmers through radio broadcasts on the international price and inventory situation at the regional and international level and sensitize them to the risk they face if they continue to hold their nuts.  The messages also stressed that if nuts are stored too long in poor storage conditions, this could result in a deterioration of quality and thus market value. The radio broadcasts, broadcast over 3 days, were in both French and Dioula.

“The radio reports to educate farmers immediately had a very positive effect,” said Mohamed Ouedraogo, ACA National Secretary. “There was a quick increase in the stocks of raw cashew nuts on the market, particularly in the regions of Cascades and Haut-Bassins.” This example clearly demonstrates the power stakeholders can have it they join together in an innovative fashion to solve industry-wide problems.