Assessment of Post-HARVEST Handling Effects on Quality of Cashew Nuts and Kernels in Ghana

Purpose: A large quantity of cashew nuts is lost between harvesting and consumption. Nut quality which determine price in the world market cannot be compromised and this harvesting period is detrimental, therefore the need to evaluate the effects of post-harvest handling practices on quality.
Methodology: A survey was conducted in ten cashew growing districts in five regions of Ghana in 2009 and 2010. A total of 247 farmers, 3 buyers and 3 processors were sampled and interviewed using a questionnaire. Samples of raw nuts and kernels were collected from the cashew farmers, buyers, processors and mother trees and assessed for their processing and nutritional qualities. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Correlation.
Findings: Results from the survey showed that 45.3% of farmers picked their nuts daily from the fields, 53.8% dried the nuts between 3-4 days and 76.1% had no storage facilities and these affected the quality of the nuts. Quality assessment using kernel analysis indicated that 41.2% of samples collected were within the standard grade with the average nut weight ranging from 5.1 to 7.0 g. However, assessment of nuts collected from trees selected for germplasm establishment on farmers’ farms nationwide showed that 73.9% of the nuts were of excellent grade.
Conclusion: Improper harvesting and post harvest practices may result in poor nutritional and processing quality of cashew nuts.