ACi steps into a new phase
By Samantha Mensah, ACi
As it builds on lessons learned in its first phase, the African Cashew initiative is preparing itself for an exciting second phase with final contractual steps to be taken with the following main contributors: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the German Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ). 
In its efforts to increase the competitiveness of African cashew production and promote sustainable growth in production, processing and farmer income in five African countries (Benin, Burkina, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Mozambique) by bringing public and private sector actors together to implement activities on all steps of the cashew value chain using sustainable mechanisms, ACi had numerous successes between 2009 until 2012in its first phase. These include the training of 240,000 farmers across its 5 project countries, linking 29,000 farmers to the Fair Trade Market and increased installed capacity of processing in 4 countries from 8,250 MT in 2009 to 38,300 MT in 2011.
With these successes in view, ACi aims to consolidate and sustain the growth achieved by focusing strongly on providing opportunities for the development of more effective linkage mechanisms and incentives between farmer (organizations) and processors in its new Phase. Here, the focus will also be on collaboration with public sector partners to develop, multiply and distribute improved planting material for enhanced cashew production whilst helping to develop professional seedling production in nurseries, clonal gardens and model farms. In addition, phase II will pay particular attention to producers, exporters and Government bodies/representatives and also on the continuous growth of The African Cashew Alliance.
Perhaps the most significant strategy shift for ACi Phase 2 is a Cashew Matching Fund, which was launched on 1st September 2012. In its first call, a total of thirty applications were received from five ACI supported countries; a majority of these targeting better farmer linkages, and others aiming at research and multiplication of improved cashew planting material. All applications are currently reviewed by the Technical Experts of both ACA and ACI, and after Board approval, successful applicants will be given the month of November to prepare and submit a full proposal for the final approval stage. Concluded projects will start their private sector led implementation by beginning 2013. This will bring lots of new opportunities and also some challenges – we will keep you informed.
