In pictures: Organic cashew project

Oxfam has been supporting cashew farmers to help them develop and market their organic produce

Marlon Carrasco, a farmer participating in Oxfam's cashew project. Photo: Oxfam

Marlon Carrasco is one of the farmers taking part in Oxfam's organic cashew project in La Carreta, western Nicaragua. "We used to depend on maize and sesame seed, our traditional crops. Today we have another source of income, cashew seeds."

 

Photo: Oxfam

 

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Matilde Tercero and her husband, participants in the initiative. Photo: Oxfam

Matilde Tercero and her husband are one of the 840 families taking part in the initiative. Run through our local partner, CIPRES, the project is complemented with projects on crop diversification and adult learning.

 

Photo: Oxfam

 

A woman working in the processing plant in Somotillo. Photo: Oxfam

The processing plant in Somotillo where famers bring their cashew seed employs 23 women, ensuring them a steady income. Once seeds have been brought into the processing plant they are classified according to size and quality.

 

Photo: Oxfam

 

Peeling a cashew seed. Photo: Oxfam

Seeds are then cooked, peeled, toasted, and packed for marketing.

The project is being funded by the European Union which supports not only the processing plant, but also a local market to sell the seeds locally.

 

Photo: Oxfam

 

A woman shows off the final packaged product. Photo: Oxfam

The farmers and women involved in the process are now reaping the benefits of co-ordinated work.

The cashew nuts are now sold in the United States, Canada, Spain, Costa Rica, and, of course, Nicaragua.

 

Photo: Oxfam