Several days after completing his cashew processing training with EWW, Kandjoura Fofana had already processed and sold several kilos of cashews. Although it was a small quantity, the sale was a big deal for Mr. Fofana – he had wanted to own a cashew processing operation for years. He had even purchased processing equipment from neighboring Guinea-Bissau, but since the technical support and training was not locally available, he was unable to get his equipment up and running. Thankfully Mr. Fofana’s fortunes have finally changed with the recent launch of EWW’s Guinea Cashew Processing Project, which is providing him with the resources he needs to make his dream a reality.

Mr. Fofana represents one of two nascent cashew processing businesses that participated in a training held last month by EWW Guinea. While Mr. Fofana owns a small-scale operation, the other participating processor, COPALIME, intends to develop into a very large processing enterprise. “COPALIME’s eventual goal is to export nuts by producing their own processed nuts and by purchasing processed nuts from small businesses like Mr. Fofana,” said Dennis Billingsley, EWW Country Director for Guinea.

Together the two processors sent a total of 17 employees to the training session held in Boke. According to Billingsley, “Most of the workers for COPALIME and Fofana were underemployed or unemployed before getting jobs as processors, and 50 percent are women.”

The training, which lasted three weeks, concluded with a reception attended by local government officials, businessmen and media outlets. “We wanted to let people know that cashews were now available for sale, and also make contact with other businessmen who may want to invest in cashew processing,” said Billingsley.

”I attended the reception and was very impressed by the accomplishments of EWW,” said Ibrahima Camara with USAID Guinea. “The cashew processing technology introduced by EWW has been well received by the trained enterprises, the Government of Guinea and the population. I do believe the EWW project will contribute to the achievement of USAID/Guinea objectives.”

The June training session was the first in a series of cashew processing trainings to be held by the Guinea Cashew Processing Project. Funded by USAID, the project aims to assist in the development of a cashew processing industry by introducing improved methods and technologies and creating sustainable commercial links among small processors, commercial distributors and local equipment suppliers.

The project is also one of the first attempts at establishing a formal and efficient cashew processing industry in Guinea. “Prior to EWW’s intervention, there was only traditional processing by women in the villages,” said Billingsley.

Since traditionally processed kernels (the trade term for processed, consumer-ready cashew nuts) are typically of a poor quality, they’re unsuitable for export and are even difficult to sell on the local market. By adopting improved processing techniques, Guinea will be able to convert its raw cashew nuts, a commodity which carries very little value, into export-quality kernels, a commodity that commands a high price on both international and regional/local markets.

Although Guinea is not a major producer of cashews – it currently grows and exports about 2,000 tons of cashews per year -- the timing of EWW’s intervention couldn’t be better. “When I travel in the countryside I see a lot of young cashew trees which have been planted,” said Billingsley. “This is because the government has encouraged farmers to plant cashew trees. Within the next year, production of raw cashews is expected to more than double.”

In order to establish an industry that can capitalize on this rapid increase of raw cashew nuts, Billingsley and his team are already preparing for their next cashew processing training, which is scheduled for October. They are also working to identify local metal shops and brick makers who can supply the equipment needed for processing, such as shellers, steamers and roasters.

Through the establishment of a local supply chain, a self-sustaining cashew processing industry should start to take shape. And with the proper support, such as quality control and market development, the industry could really take off and Guinea cashews may soon be in a store near you.