Govt. initiates cashew project

Cashew, that pricey delicacy sold on the main streets of every Belizean city and town, is slated to emerge from a cottage industry into a major source of income for farmers in the Belize District. Cabinet on Monday approved a project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, which aims to have two thousand, two hundred acres of cashew under cultivation within three years. Initial funding will total one point two million dollars, including five hundred thousand dollars contributed by government and another seven hundred thousand in loans by the D.F.C. and Small Farmers Bank to the private sector. Two hundred and thirty-five farm families are presently involved in cashew production in the Belize District and the Co-operatives Department is helping to organise a cashew grower co-operative. The project seeks to increase production, open export markets and improve the efficiency of processing the nuts, as well as the fruits which are suitable for juice, wine and dehydration.