Abandoned cashew apples from farmers in the deforestation-free cashew programme at Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary in Ratanakkiri province have been used to produce premium liqueur for the first time in Southeast Asia.

The initiative could potentially boost farmers' income by allowing them to sell both the fruit and the nuts.

The product was launched through a collaboration between USAID Morodok Baitang and Seekers Spirits, according to USAID Morodok Baitang’s August 2024 monthly bulletin.

The bulletin explained that the fruits are usually discarded after the nuts are collected, but they can be processed into valuable products, such as juice or alcohol.

“Recognising this opportunity, USAID Morodok Baitang partnered with Seekers Spirits to convert cashew apples from our deforestation-free producer groups in Ratanakkiri into the region's first premium Mekong cashew apple liqueur," it read.

Seekers Spirits co-founder and sales and marketing director Tania Unsworth shared that the project was inspired by Feni, a rare cashew liqueur from Goa, India.

“This led us to explore the potential of cashew apples, which are typically wasted, to create something valuable from them,” she said.

The organisation emphasised that the initiative not only supports cashew-producing groups committed to protecting forests and wildlife in the sanctuary but also introduces a unique product that aligns with the government's broader efforts to promote the cashew industry through conservation and sustainable practices.

Morodok Baitang chief of party Sabine Joukes stated in the newsletter that the collaboration builds on their deforestation-free cashew programme by providing an additional revenue stream for farmers, enabling them to sell both cashew apples and nuts by engaging the private sector and establishing market linkages.

“At the same time, it motivates them to adhere to conservation-friendly farming principles,” she added.

The liqueur was presented at Mekong Strategic Capital's 10th anniversary event, serving as a platform to highlight the full-circle impact of deforestation-free cashew farming projects overseen by Morodok Baitang and supported by Mekong Strategic Capital.

However, the product is still in the research and development phase and is not yet available for general sale. Anyone hoping to experience the unique, aromatic and slightly astringent flavour, balanced by the natural sweetness of this cashew apple liqueur, will have to wait until the next cashew season.

Sok Samnang, head of the cashew nut processing unit at the Chey Odom Natural Cashew Community, mentioned that he sent some cashew apples to the company in Phnom Penh for trial production in May.

Although the product is still experimental and he has not yet tasted it, Samnang is pleased with the results of their efforts.

“Previously, we discarded the fruit after collecting the nuts. If wine production proves successful, we will encourage the community to sell the fruit. We will also work harder to ensure the quality of the apples meets the company's standards for producing liqueur according to food safety guidelines,” he said.

Samnang added that 90 households from three villages in Chey Odom commune, Lumphat district, joined the Morodok Baitang initiative in 2023. These farmers cultivate 301 hectares of cashew trees, aged three years and older, producing over 35 tonnes of high-quality cashew nuts per season.

He explained that the community is integrating natural resource conservation with cashew production, adhering to guidelines for preserving protected areas and natural resources.

“As members of the community, activities like deforestation, land grabbing or hunting wildlife are strictly prohibited. Instead, farmers are encouraged to cultivate cashews naturally while contributing to conservation efforts,” he said.

He also affirmed that the project’s partners purchase their cashew nuts at a higher price than the market rate to incentivize participation in conservation efforts. He noted, for example, that if the market price for cashew nuts hits 4,000 riel ($0.99) per kilogramme, their partners will still purchase them at 4,500 riel ($1.11).