The present study aimed to establish a database that would allow the calibration of mechanisation tools for cashew nut collection in Côte d’Ivoire. It was conducted in three production areas: Toumodi (centre), Korhogo (north) and Bouna (east). In each of these localities, a representative plot of cashew orchards was selected, with 30 trees chosen for the biophysical fruit data survey. The results showed that the fruits are morphologically different from one locality to another for both nuts and apples. In Toumodi, the physical characteristics of the nuts and apples were more important than in the other two localities. In Korhogo, the fruits were distinguished by small nuts and in Bouna, the cashew produced had characteristics that are globally intermediate between those of the first two localities. Furthermore, the firmness of the apples dropped by half in three days at each of the study sites, indicating their vulnerability to external factors. However, Korhogo apples remained the firmest.
In Côte d’Ivoire, protein feed in poultry farming is expensive. This study was conducted to develop new sources of vegetable protein (cashew cake) in the diet of pullets in the growth phase. For this, 216 ISA Brown pullets aged seven (7) weeks were selected and randomly distributed in four (4) compartments. These constituted batches were subjected to feed T0 (control, 0% cashew cake), T1 (100% cashew cake as the main source of vegetable protein), T2 (50% cashew cake) and T3 (95% cashew cake). Cashew cake-based feeds improved the zootechnical parameters but not significantly. In all batches, an increase in weight gain was observed ranging from 469.2g to 1325g. ADG varied from 8.51 ± 8.13 g/d (T1) to 12.90 ± 6.03 g/d (T0) while food intake (AI) varied from 2514.20 ± 388, 50g (T3) to 2969.87 ± 478.54g (T0). Also, the consumption index (CI) varied from 3.23 ± 0.60 (T3) to 3.43 ± 0.48 (T1). The incorporation of cashew cake in feed for growing pullets would be an alternative solution to reduce the cost of feed for laying hens in Côte d’Ivoire.