CASHEW FARM UPGRADING - AGRONOMIC OPTIONS FOR INCREASING CASHEW PRODUCTION BY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN TANZANIA

As a result of higher prices and improved marketing, cashew (Anacardiu m occidentale) farmers in Tanzania are trying to improve production th rough improved husbandry. The main production constraint is powdery mi ldew disease which causes large reductions in cree yields. Although fu ngicides can control this disease, the majority of farmers are unable to afford them. Recently, cashew material with some tolerance to the d isease has been released to growers and use of this material will be o ne of the main ways for farmers to cope with the disease. Cashew is gr own principally by smallholders in Tanzania and since 1993 ways for fa rmers to increase production by including improved material on their f arms have been investigated in participatory trials. The most importan t initial step is to fell non-productive trees. Where there is suffici ent space these can be replaced by improved material established eithe r as grafted plants, polyclonal seed or by top-working. Improved mater ial can also be planted in gaps amongst the trees.