Cashew agronomic practices for research and improving productivity in Tanzania

Improvement of cashew yield is triggered with application of appropriate cashew agronomic practices and related techniques. Nevertheless, farmers still lack awareness on the use of these appropriate agronomic practices in cashew. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to update the current status of agronomic practices and research needs in cashew subsector. Review details on various appropriate agronomic practices available and disseminated to farmers including proper spacing for cashew, weeding practices, pruning techniques, top working, fertilizers application, harvesting and post-harvesting techniques. Cashew farmers are encouraged to adopt appropriate technologies so as to address the challenges for enhancing cashew productivity. Furthermore, some research areas are required for releasing more technologies such as use of foliar and basal fertilizers and plant population per unit area that will address existing challenges in the cashew field that cause difficult farm operations, poor plant performance and low yields. Cashew growers and other stakeholders should consider appropriate agronomic practices for enhancing cashew production and productivity in Tanzania. Further research on usability of fertilizer in foliar or basal form, herbicidal effects in soil biota, ecological mapping and genetic diversity of Mozambican shrub weed and optimization of planting density is of paramount importance.     Key words: Agronomy, cashew, income, management practices, Tanzania.