Key Takeaways:
- Forager Project introduces The Cashew Project, a multi-year program to support cashew farmers in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Initiative includes training in organic certification, financial literacy, and climate-smart agriculture.
- Program seeks to empower women in farming, with more than 1,000 women already participating.
- Partnerships with GIZ and olam food ingredients (ofi) provide infrastructure and training support.
- Efforts aim to enhance farmer livelihoods, promote sustainability, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Forager Project Introduces The Cashew Project
Forager Project, a company specializing in organic dairy-free foods, has launched The Cashew Project, a multi-year program designed to support cashew farming communities in Côte d’Ivoire. The initiative centers on organic farming methods, sustainable agriculture, and financial education, with an emphasis on women and young farmers.
“Investing in farming communities means investing in the future of our food. It’s part of supporting responsible capitalism,” said Maude Manoukian, chief community officer at Forager Project.
Program Goals and Key Components
Training in Climate-Smart Practices
The Cashew Project offers training in pruning, composting, and erosion control techniques. Cashew trees are highlighted for their role in reforestation when planted on degraded land, supporting biodiversity through intercropping, and requiring fewer resources than other nut crops.
Organic Certification and Farmer Support
More than 1,000 farmers are currently working toward organic certification. Field audits and traceability systems are being introduced to ensure integrity from harvest to processing.
Empowering Women in Agriculture
The program also seeks to challenge traditional gender roles in farming. Over 1,000 women in 18 villages have already received training, and a Village Savings and Loan Association program is scheduled for completion in 2026 to promote financial independence.
Infrastructure Development
As part of the partnership, Forager Project co-funded a warehouse and drying yard in Djébonoua. This facility is expected to protect harvests from weather damage and help increase income potential for local growers.
Forager Project’s Collaboration and Outlook
Developed in partnership with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and olam food ingredients (ofi), the initiative aims to reach more than 10,000 farmers in the next two years, with half of participants being women and young adults.
John Charles Hanley, co-founder and president at Forager Project, emphasized the company’s guiding philosophy: “Nothing is more fundamental than the soil we have; everything else follows from there. When you treat the soil with respect and care, it transforms how you think about everything you do.”
Impact on Farming Communities
The Cashew Project is expected to create long-term benefits by improving crop yields, enhancing wages, and strengthening food security in Côte d’Ivoire. Support for organic certification, climate-smart training, and infrastructure is intended to ensure sustainable cashew production while meeting Forager Project’s quality standards.
The company noted that this initiative reflects its broader commitment to fostering connections between soil health, farmers, and the consumers who rely on their products.
