Koforidua, Feb. 25, – Yahya Iddrisu, Ahafo's 2024 Best Physically Challenged Farmer, credits cashew with reviving Susuanho's rural economy as cocoa output plunges to 650,000–700,000 tonnes—far below past million-tonne peaks—amid disease, drought, and galamsey devastation.
The 2015 drought wiped out 90% of his 16-acre cocoa farm started in 2009. Switching to cashew in 2017 proved transformative: "Yields hit commercial levels immediately, and now every household farms it," Iddrisu emphasised.
Global cocoa prices crashed nearly 50% since late 2025, forcing a 28.6% farmgate cut to GHS41,392/tonne to ease COCOBOD's strain. Cashew thrives in transition zones, draws northern labourers, spurs farmgate markets, and even shades cocoa seedlings—COCOBOD now supplies them free.
Youth abandon galamsey for cashew fields, bushfires decline, and community fortunes rise. "Cashew returned hope where cocoa failed," Iddrisu said.
GHBUSS
Feb. 25, 2026
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