Transforming Women-Led Cashew Processing in Tanzania

Her Farm Her Story: Transforming Women-Led Cashew Processing in Tanzania

At Her Farm Her Story (HFHS), we are committed to empowering women in agriculture by creating sustainable economic opportunities. One of our most impactful initiatives has been our work with women’s groups engaged in cashew nut processing. Launched in February, this project is currently in implementation, strengthening the cashew value chain by ensuring market access, increasing processing capacity, and enhancing financial stability for these women and young entrepreneurs.

The Project Overview

Our initiative focuses on 48 small women-led groups, some of which include young people, engaged in cashew nut processing from their homes and shared facilities. Previously, these women relied on middlemen for sales, often receiving low and inconsistent prices that hindered their ability to scale production. Due to the lack of stable orders, many of these groups processed small volumes, preventing them from earning a sustainable income. Additionally, they faced challenges in repaying government-backed loans due to slow financial circulation.

Our Approach and Progress

HFHS is addressing these challenges by implementing a structured support system, ensuring that the women have a guaranteed market for their processed cashew nuts. By committing to purchasing their produce upon processing, we have increased production cycles, generated consistent revenue, and helped them scale their operations. As a result, the groups have expanded their collective processing capacity to 148 metric tons (MT) per annum.

To further strengthen the project’s impact, HFHS has developed a dedicated brand for the finished products and secured a market for premium roasted cashew nuts. We are also prioritizing compliance with international food safety standards by nearing completion of the Food Safety Management System FSSC 22000 certification. This milestone will enable us to penetrate the global market, further amplifying the economic benefits for women in the sector.

Investment made in Equipment and Infrastructure

To enhance processing efficiency and product quality, HFHS is securing key machinery, including:

• A Cashew Nut Roaster ($9,000) to improve roasting consistency and efficiency.

• A Vacuum Machine ($11,000) to maintain product freshness and extend shelf life.

• A Semi-Automated Packing Machine ($5,000) to facilitate streamlined packaging.

• Packaging Materials and Nutritional Analysis ($10,000) to ensure compliance with quality standards.

With an investment of $35,000, these strategic upgrades are enabling women-led groups to increase their production efficiency, meet larger orders, and establish a competitive presence in the market.

Impact and Future Outlook

Since its commencement in February, this initiative has already begun improving the livelihoods of women cashew processors by providing them with stable income streams and financial independence. By increasing processing volumes and expanding access to high-value markets, we are laying the foundation for long-term sustainability and economic resilience.

Looking ahead, HFHS continues to implement this project, scaling the model to other regions to ensure that more women in agriculture can benefit from structured market linkages, enhanced processing capabilities, and financial stability. Our work in cashew processing is just one example of how we are driving meaningful change in the agricultural sector—one woman at a time.

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