Sanitary Quality Improvement of Cashew Nuts through Orchard Rehabilitation in Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire: A Case Study of Anacardium occidentale L

The cashew sector has become a vital driver of economic and social growth in northern, central, and eastern Côte d'Ivoire. One key factor affecting marketability is the sanitary quality of raw cashew nuts, usually measured by the Kernel Output Ratio (KOR). This study aims to improve nut quality in the Haut-Sassandra region by examining how orchard rehabilitation impacts sanitary standards. Conducted in six representative orchards in the Daloa Department, the research evaluated the technical process of rehabilitation practices. It also involved a systematic survey of cashew tree diseases and insect-related damages, along with a detailed analysis of nut sanitary quality. The results provide insights into how orchard renewal strategies can enhance post-harvest hygiene, pest management, and nut grading. The principal diseases observed in cashew trees (Anacardium occidentale L.) included anthracnose, bacterial blight, gummosis, and rust. Orchards with the lowest tree density (100 trees/ha) exhibited the lowest disease incidence and severity indices, suggesting a correlation between planting density and phytosanitary resilience. Major insect pest damage was attributed to infestations by Apate terebrans, Diastocera trifasciata, and Helopeltis spp., with significantly higher attack rates recorded in non-rehabilitated orchards compared to rehabilitated ones. Assessment of cashew nut quality parameters revealed that rehabilitated orchards produced superior results, with an average of 177 nuts/kg and a usable kernel yield of 286.76%. In contrast, non-rehabilitated orchards yielded 171 nuts/kg and a kernel rate of 253.34%. According to Kernel Output Ratio (KOR) standards, nut samples from rehabilitated orchards were classified as very high quality, underscoring the positive impact of orchard rehabilitation on both plant health and post-harvest product value.