“The study examines this process in the context of SAP and the need to ensure a more economically viable private sector driven agricultural marketing system. Private firms and traders are increasingly marketing agricultural inputs and outputs, hitherto a preserve of marketing boards and cooperatives. The study uses interviews and a questionnaire to examine the impact of these changed on smallholder cashew producers, with special emphasis on the producers’ views and expectations. We
conclude that despite some financial and logistical problems, and vested interest, some positive results are discernible. Given favourable pricing, marketing and processing
policies, the persistent decline in cashew production has been reversed, and producer
prices have increased. The challenge is to develop a privatised and sustainable cashew
marketing system that is responsive to producers’ needs and expectations.”
