Nemganga, Salimu Mgonja2022-10-132022-10-132022http://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/4660Masters DissertationCashew (Anacardium Occidentale L.), a multipurpose crop, is tropical tree native to South America. Cashew is an important crop for nutrition and income generation. It is among the important export crops in Tanzania, others being tobacco, coffee and cotton. Farmers are advised to add value to their crops/crop produces before they take them the market. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Ruangwa district during the 2020-2021 whereby five wards were selected and in each wads two villages were selected to assess small-scale cashew nut processors’ capability. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing small-scale cashew nut processors’ processing practices, determine factors promoting small-scale processors’ use of recommended processing practices, and identify challenges facing small-scale cashew nut processors. A sample size of 180 respondents was used. A structured questionnaire which was written in English and then translated into Kiswahili, was developed and used to collect the data. It was pre-tested with 20 small-scale cashew nuts processors in Ruangwa District in February 2021. Other methods of data collection included Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and documentary review. Quantitative data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software, while qualitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and content analysis respectively. In addition, Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors promoting small-scale processors’ use of recommended processing practices. It was found that more than half (64.5%) of small-scale cashew nut processors have low capability in cashew nut processing. Education level, average income, age group and yield were factors promoting small-scale cashew nut processors to use recommended processing practices. Challenges facing small-scale cashew nut processor included use of inefficient local processing tools, less availability of appropriateiii equipment and machine for processing, lack of money to acquire new technology, and lack of investment and working capital. Other challenges were the availability of raw materials, lack of market information on kernel, lack of reliable training facilities, and lack of government initiative support on cashew nut processing. The study recommends that more efforts are needed to provide training and guidance to small-scale cashew nut processors and cashew farmers from production, management and processing and building market centres for selling kernels. It is also suggested that Financial Institutions should conform to the provision of credit to the demand and situation of small-scale cashew nut processors in the rural context.encashew nutsmall-scaleprocessorsRuagwa DistrictCashew nut processorsThesis