ACA launches official Cashew Master Training website
The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) has today, 14th October,2022 launched an official website for the Cashew Master Training Program (MTP) and opened registration for the next edition of the training.
The new website (www.mtp.cashewknowledgehub.com ) becomes the official platform for sharing public information, and for all applications and registration for the MTP.
Individuals can therefore visit the site to read more about the Cashew MTP: the faculty of the training, programs, alumni and register for the training.
This move by the ACA is part of measures put in place to make information about the MTP training more accessible and open the registration process to the public.
“The Cashew Master Training has been in existence since 2014 and has produced over a thousand Master Trainers. However, information about this important training, for good reasons, has mostly been among people and institutions within the cashew industry. We believe the time has come to bring more people, institutions, and agencies on board, especially newcomers of the industry or people considering investing in cashew to acquire knowledge of the industry and build themselves. The website will bridge the information gap about the MTP, especially on registration,” Managing Director of the ACA, Ernest Mintah said.
“The next edition of the MTP will start soon and so registration is open to all, both individuals and institutions. We have been doing this over the years in partnership with GIZ/MOVE, and many Agriculture Ministries and institutions in Africa. We are inviting development partners, institutions, and agencies to partner with us to produce more experts for the cashew industry in Africa and beyond,” he added.
The Cashew MTP was started by GIZ/MOVE and ACA and its partners in 2014 with a vision to build a pool of technical and managerial expertise, to facilitate regional exchange between cashew experts by sharing lessons learnt and innovations at regional and national level.
With three sessions in each edition, participants are trained in agronomy and cashew orchards management; improved planting material development; post-harvest management and quality of cashew products; processing and value addition to cashew and its by-products; market mechanism, nut and kernel market analysis; business relationships between stakeholders; value chain development; economics of cashew farming and processing; Self-financing advice; and price analysis and price formation.
MTP also works on the mindset and personal development of participants, ensuring that they have the right mindset, knowledge and skills in areas including gender, leadership, facilitation, as well as Design and production of teaching/training materials.
After 14 editions, the Cashew MTP has produced over one thousand cashew experts, including researchers, farmers, processors, cashew consultants, across 20 countries. These graduates have become positive and impactful change makers, not only in the cashew industry but in their societies.
This, the ACA believes, is of great essence to the future of the cashew industry in Africa, especially in the drive towards a competitive African Cashew industry that secures profitability for all actors. It is therefore inviting development partners, institutions, and agencies to partner with it to train more expertise and build the capacity of many people as possible for the industry, especially women who play a crucial role in the growth and sustainability of the industry.
