MTWARA: TANZANIA is planning a major investment in technology to improve its cashew processing industry, aiming to enhance efficiency, increase production and boost competitiveness.
The initiative is expected to significantly support export growth and contribute to both economic and environmental sustainability.
The Cashew Nut Board of Tanzania (CBT) has announced that the government, in collaboration with Tanzanian embassies abroad, is working to enhance investment in technology that will streamline and improve cashew processing within the country.
The effort also includes attracting both foreign and local investors to capitalise on the cashew industry’s potential by investing in value-added processing.
CBT Director of Marketing and Quality Control, Mr Revelian Ngaiza, shared these developments recently.
He emphasised that the government has established strategies to boost the country’s cashew nut processing capabilities and enhance local value addition.
To achieve these goals, it is crucial to ensure that necessary technology is available.
For him, investing in technology to streamline and enhance cashew processing in Tanzania is crucial for several reasons, among them the fact that it will improve processing efficiency.
He said advanced processing technology can significantly increase efficiency by automating various stages of cashew processing.
This includes shelling, peeling and grading, which are traditionally labor-intensive and time consuming. The move, he said, will also enhance quality control.
According to him, technology enables better quality control, ensuring that cashew nuts meet international standards.
He further said that improved processing techniques can reduce defects and enhance the overall quality of the final product.
He outlined other benefits as boosting production capacity, enhancing competitiveness, supporting export growth, job creation as an economic benefit, strengthening international relations as well as enhancing data management and traceability.
Mr Ngaiza highlighted the establishment of a Cashew Nut Industrial Park in Maranje, Mtwara Region, with an investment worth 116 million US dollars (about 314bn/-).
The park will house factories with a total processing capacity of 300,000 metric tonnes of cashew nuts annually. Currently, Tanzania processes only 10 per cent of its cashew production, but the government aims to increase this to 60 per cent by 2025.
He urged local investors to invest in the cashew industry to harness its potential. “Cashews not only generate valuable foreign exchange but also provide sustainable employment opportunities.
Many people, including women and youth, will benefit from jobs created through the processing of cashew products,” Mr Ngaiza said.
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Additionally, Mr Ngaiza pointed out the advantages of cashew processing, including high global demand that offers a large market and favorable prices.
“Beyond the economic benefits, cashews are also beneficial for health.
They have anti-diabetic properties and research has shown that they are good for heart health and the treatment of anaemia,” he added.
He however pointed the challenges ahead, saying ensuring the availability of technology, attracting investment and scaling up processing capacity are potential challenges that need to be addressed.
Regardless, he said, the challenges come with opportunities. He said the development of processing infrastructure, coupled with high global demand and health benefits, presents significant opportunities for growth and development in the cashew sector.
Experts argue that the investment in technology and infrastructure for cashew processing in Tanzania is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the country’s processing capabilities, increasing value addition and boosting economic growth.
With ambitious targets set for 2025, the collaboration between the government, CBT and Tanzanian embassies abroad is crucial in realising these goals.
The emphasis on both local and foreign investment, along with the health benefits of cashew nuts, positions the sector for a significant development and po