Cashew is the only source of revenue production in Itoculo.  Cashew and Rural Development Center in Itoculo is running a cashew plantation, a cashew nut and a cashew juice processing units as well as a training center for local producers of cashew in Itoculo, Monapo District. Both producing and processing have been part of the centers’ main activities in 2019.   The production of cashew, processing of its derivatives and training of the local small producers in good practices are the main activities for income of the cashew center.

Key Results 2019: In 2019, the production of cashew resulted in the harvest of 44 tons of raw cashew nuts, of which 41.5 tons came from general production, 1.8 tons of raw cashew nuts from organic production and 700 kg of Polyclonal raw cashew nuts for sowing.  24 tons were stored to be processed in 2020, 17 tons were sold to secure payments for the center’s activities including harvesting and taking care of the plantation. Nuts from the 2018 harvest, were processed resulting in 2.460 kg of kernels and in process of being sold. From the false fruit (cashew apple) 1,600 liters of cashew juice and 50 liters of molasses were processed and also in process of being sold.

Organic cashew production with natural pesticide is a new method that ADPP started in April 2018 aiming at reducing the use of chemicals for the treatment of cashew trees.  This practice was also introduced to small producers as a way to improve the quality of production, productivity and profitability within families. Associated with this practice, the Itoculo Cashew Center hosts the production of certified cashew nuts (Polyclonal Seeds) for sowing in its plantation and for sale to other producers.