Average Yield per Acre: Average raw cashew nut (RCN) yields improved significantly by 79%, rising from 205 kg/acre at baseline to 367 kg/acre at endline, with male farmers increasing from 261 kg to 467 kg and female farmers from 150 kg to 268 kg. This productivity gain is closely linked to several key project outputs. The project trained 65 district and lead extension staff, who then cascaded agronomic knowledge to farmers through the FFBS model. These extensionists supported 1,430 farmers (47% women) through a structured GAP curriculum, with 32 FFBS pilot plots serving as live demonstrations on pruning, spacing, pest management, and soil fertility. A major enabler of this knowledge transfer was the development and dissemination of a cashew-specific GAP Manual, officially launched by the Minister of Agriculture and adopted by the Cashew Board of Tanzania (CBT). The manual became a standardized reference for training both farmers and extension agents across the sector, extending the project’s reach beyond its direct beneficiaries. By project close, 780 farmers (55%) trained through FFBS were applying at least one GAP, contributing directly to improved farm productivity. Additionally, the project promoted climate-smart and organic farming practices, training 573 cashew farmers (175F & 398M) in organic farming methods and registering 441 for organic farming licenses.
Policy Influence (GAP Manual) and Local Ownership: One of the key contributions of the project to policy and systems strengthening was the development and validation of the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Manual for cashew production. The manual was developed in close consultation with key stakeholders, including the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania, local government authorities, and extension service providers. It outlines context-specific, climate-smart, and organic-compliant agronomic practices that are now available as a reference tool for district and national agricultural actors. This process not only standardized training content for FFBS sessions but also embedded the manual within local institutional frameworks, enhancing prospects for long-term sustainability. The project further reinforced local ownership by capacitating 65 district and lead extension staff who then trained over 3,0000 cashew farmers on how to use the GAP manual, who in turn provided cascading support to farmer groups. By anchoring GAP messaging within locally led structures and facilitating endorsement by government actors, the project positioned the manual as a locally owned resource that can continue to guide farmer training and sector development beyond the project’s lifecycle.
Farm-Gate Price of Cashew: The average farm-gate price of cashew nuts per kilogramme rose sharply by over five times from TZS 500 at baseline to TZS 2,680 at endline. Training of 1,430 farmers in GAP and 573 in organic farming principles contributed to enhanced nut quality and consistency. Likewise, farmers’ application of recommended GAP and improved drying and storage techniques demonstrated through FFBS pilot plots are likely to have contributed to increase in the volume of first-grade nuts. These quality improvements are likely to have enabled AMCOS to meet buyer standards and secure higher prices, including organic premiums from Biotan Ltd. Additionally, traceability and compliance support provided under organic certification contributed to facilitating farmers’ entry into premium markets.
Average Annual Income from Cashew: The average income from cashew farming increased from TZS 252,279 to TZS 458,149, a growth of 82%. For men, income grew from TZS 288,024 to TZS 523,203, while for women it rose from TZS 217,679 to TZS 396,141. This income growth was made possible through multiple reinforcing project outputs, including improved yields through application of GAP, access to high-value markets via organic certification processes, and better agronomic knowledge through FFBS training. Likewise, higher prices linked to better post-harvest handling from FFBS demonstration and reduced post-harvest losses are also likely to have played a role. Additionally, the training of extensionists ensured that knowledge dissemination was sustained, creating a ripple effect across cashew-farming households. These changes, alongside VSLA integration and group investments, helped farmers turn agronomic improvements into tangible income gains.
Results Arising from AMCOS Capacity Strengthening: The project’s deliberate investment in strengthening the capacity of Duga AMCOS generated several measurable results that demonstrate improved service delivery, market participation, and farmer benefits. Firstly, membership rose from 180 to 297 farmers, indicating increased farmer confidence in AMCOS services. Most notably, Duga AMCOS facilitated the aggregation and sale of 290.5 metric tonnes of conventional RCN, which significantly surpassed previous marketing volumes and reflected enhanced logistical, negotiation, and financial management capabilities. Furthermore, the cooperative successfully participated in the organic cashew value chain, coordinating the supply of 112 metric tonnes of certified organic RCN to Biotan, directly involving 44 organic farmers. This was the first such transaction facilitated by the AMCOS, indicating the cooperative’s improved ability to manage traceability, quality control, and commercial compliance. Duga AMCOS also provided extension support to its members through the deployment of trained lead farmers, hosting FFBS, and supporting the establishment of 32 demonstration plots for climate-smart and organic agriculture.
Changes in Women’s Household Decision-Making Power: The project contributed to notable improvements in women’s participation in household financial decision-making, signaling progress in gender empowerment within farming households. Women had confidence in voicing their opinions on household matters, particularly regarding income use, food purchases, and children’s education. This reflects a shift from traditionally male-dominated decision-making structures toward more inclusive dynamics. These gains were closely linked to gender-transformative training sessions delivered through gender dialogues, VSLAs groups discussion, FFBS trainings and community dialogues, which emphasized joint planning and equitable financial discussions. Additionally, women’s high participation in VSLAs (78.6%) not only improved their access to credit but also enhanced their bargaining power and involvement in economic decisions at the household level.