The president of Kampong Thom Cashew Nut Association has urged government officials to implement a policy to increase cashew production, as a huge opportunity was being wasted by both the government and farmers he said.

Siv Ngy said Cambodia’s total cashew nut production this year is expected to increase to more than 30,000 tonnes from a cultivation area of 20,000 hectares. And that there was potentially a 100,000 hectares in for further production.

“Price of fresh cashew nuts this year also has increase from 3,000 riel [$0.75] to 4,700 riel per kilogram. Compared to rice, the price of cashew nut is higher. It is a huge opportunity for farmers,” he said.

Suv Ngy said production was still low compared to Vietnam.

“The government should set up supporting policy to increase cashew nut production like rice, and I would also want to see donors funding to help push cashew nut production. Farmers can earn a lot from planting cashew nuts, but they need clear guidelines,” he added.

Thiv Vannthy, director of Kampong Thom Provincial Agriculture Department, said cashew cultivation area has increased from 23,000 hectares in 2014 to 29,000 hectares this year. However, he said cashew cultivation is a low priority for the government.

“We will look into establishing policy to support cashew nut, but maybe after cassava.”

From January to November last year, Cambodia exported a 71,244 tonnes of cashew nut to Vietnam, 198,053 tonnes to India and 300 tonnes to China.