Socio-economic analysis of the promotion of the cashew nut sector

This study conducted in the commune of Parakou in Northern Benin aimed to identify the socio-economic factors that explain and underpin the motivations of the actors involved in the cashew nut industry. To this end, a mixed methodological approach was adopted. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered to 71 stakeholders in the cashew nut chain and an observation grid. Descriptive statistics through different tools were used for data analysis. Thus, it emerged that producers, management structures, traders and processors are the main actors involved in the cashew nut sector in the study area. The processing of cashew nuts into toasted almonds is an activity exclusively reserved for women and is carried out using traditional technologies. Finally, the effects related to income and low investment (41%), mimicry (29%), the family or producer network (23%) and the advisory support of agricultural technicians (7%) are the main factors that encourage Tourou producers to set up new cashew nut orchards.