CAC News
RATANAKIRI, Cambodia, September 29, 2026 — The Ratanakiri provincial branch of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), in cooperation with Agro Pharmacy Co., Ltd. and the Ratanakiri Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, has held a workshop to help cashew farmers prepare for the 2026–2027 growing season amid concerns over the potential effects of a Super El Niño.
The workshop, held at the meeting hall of the Ratanakiri Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, brought together 61 in-person participants. Discussions focused on cashew crop care, low-cost cultivation methods, the potential benefits and impacts of El Niño on cashew yields, and dried cashew nut prices recorded during the 2026 season.
The training provided farmers with an overview of El Niño, a climate phenomenon associated with unusually warm sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that can disrupt weather patterns and contribute to droughts, heatwaves, storms and flooding.
Participants were also advised to monitor weather conditions and assess their effects on cashew production. Key topics included rainfall distribution, sunlight exposure, humidity, seasonal weather changes, soil quality and nutrient management.
Technical experts warned that extreme weather conditions can create favorable environments for pests and diseases, potentially affecting cashew yields and quality. The training therefore covered the identification and management of major cashew pests, including tea mosquito bugs, caterpillars, thrips, whiteflies and mealybugs.
Heng Panha, Provincial Director of CAC in Ratanakiri, said the training reflected the association’s continued commitment to helping farmers adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, improve orchard management and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Cambodia’s growing cashew industry.
The workshop also encouraged farmers to apply practical, low-cost cultivation and crop-management techniques as they prepare for the new cashew season.
