….Set To Reposition Nigeria As World Largest Producer
…Target Production Capacity Of 2 million MT By 2030
With the potential to inject N7.2 trillion into Nigeria’s economy, the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) is driving a nationwide cashew nursery initiative to distribute one million high-yield seedlings to farmers.
The move, according to players in the cashew industry, is aimed to significantly scale up production and reclaim the country’s global leadership in cashew output.
In separate interviews with Daily Independent, the stakeholders are of the opinion that the expansion drive can put Nigeria as number one producer of cashew in the world.
They called on the federal and the state governments of producing states to support the sector to enable it to produce two million metric tons between year 2025 and 2029.
Ojo Ajanaku, National President of NCAN in an interview, said that the initiative has already delivered over 120,000 seedlings despite limited financial support to four states — Kogi, Benue, Edo, and Enugu.
Ajanaku also noted that the association recently received a significant boost from Beyond Farming Collective, which supported the production of 45,000 seedlings, stressing that with a target of one million in the first phase, the association is still far from its goal and continues to seek collaboration from both federal and state governments, as well as development partners.
“Our focus is to boost Nigeria’s raw cashew nut production to two million metric tons annually by 2029 or 2030. Though we might not hit that number before I leave office, I am determined to lay the foundation that guarantees such yields in subsequent harvests.”
Adding to this, Abu Mohammed Kabir, the financial secretary of NCAN, who is in charge of the nursery propagation, highlighted how the improved Ogbomosho variety being distributed will significantly boost yields and, by extension, national income.
“We are encouraging this very particular nut across the country. If a tree produces 100kg and we plant one million seedlings, that’s 100 million kilogrammes — a massive tonnage,” he explained.
Kabir emphasised that the seedlings are not only expected to drive up production but also to stimulate the broader economy through revenue generation and job creation.
“This initiative will generate more money for the Federal Government and create both direct and indirect jobs,” he said.
He added that seedlings are being distributed to farmers registered with NCAN, but non-members interested in joining will not be left out.
“We want every genuine cashew farmer to benefit, because increasing production is our national priority.”
According to him, Nigeria currently produces about 580,000 metric tons of cashew annually, injecting an estimated N3.7 billion into the economy.
“If we hit one million tons, that’s a potential N7.2 trillion contribution to the Nigerian economy,” Kabir noted, urging support from government and corporate stakeholders to scale the effort.
Bridget Yough, a cashew farmer in Benue, called on the federal and state governments to throw their weight behind Nigeria’s cashew expansion drive, saying the industry holds the potential to inject as much as N7.2 trillion into the national economy and significantly reduce unemployment across the country.
“Courtesy – DAILY INDEPENDENT”
https://independent.ng/cashew-expansion-drive-investors-eye-n7-2trn-inflow-into-economy/
Speaking in an interview, the farmer, who manages a cashew plantation and nursery in Benue, affirmed her belief in the National Cashew Association of Nigeria’s (NCAN) vision to raise production to one million metric tons and beyond through massive seedling distribution and nationwide cultivation.
“I’m calling on the government to support us in the cashew industry, not just in Benue, but all over the country,” she said.
She noted that many states— including Benue, which hosts several active cashew farms and nurseries—stand to benefit from such a scaled-up approach. But this, she added, will only be possible if the government prioritises investment and research to help farmers grow better, faster-yielding trees.
“We need support like other groups are getting. We also need government-backed testing and planning to help our cashew grow faster, so we can benefit sooner,” she said.
Beyond economic value, she stressed the potential of the cashew industry to tackle unemployment by creating jobs across value chains—from planting and harvesting to processing and export.
“Cashew alone can give you employment and boost the economy. Once you have plantations, you can lift young people who are not employed. We want cashew farmers with plantations to drive good cars and live well like contractors elsewhere,” she said.
Yough expressed pride in her work on the Benue plantation and nursery fields and urged the government to recognise the transformative potential of agriculture-led growth.
“Cashew can make Nigeria one of the top-ranking producers in the world. We’re ready to do our part, but we need the government to meet us halfway,” she said.
Ajanaku also pointed out that Nigeria, which once led global production with 700,000 metric tons in 2008, now produces an estimated 350,000 to 380,000 metric tons annually, yet, export records suggest the country is shipping over 500,000 metric tons.
He said that a major aspect of NCAN’s strategy is the nationwide distribution of the ‘Ogbomosho variety’ — a high-quality, globally accepted cashew breed originating from Oyo and Kwara states. Known for its superior aroma, nut count, and peel-ability, this variety is being introduced in multiple states to ensure uniformity, improve quality, and curb market practices where lower-grade cashews are blended with the premium Ogbomosho variety to fetch higher prices.
“We are standardising the variety to make Nigeria’s cashew more competitive globally. Edo State, for example, is already producing similar quality to Ogbomosho.”
Seedlings have already been distributed in the following quantities: 40,000 in Edo, 30,000 in Oyo, and 20,000 each in Kogi, Benue, Kwara, and Enugu. All are being provided free to farmers to encourage uptake and expansion.
Speaking further, he said that the association is working with minimal resources, as support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has yet to materialise due to budget constraints. NCAN plans to push for inclusion in future federal budgets, while aggressively pursuing alternative funding channels in the interim.
The seedlings being distributed are fast-yielding hybrids.
“From the second year, farmers start seeing early fruit, and by the third year, the trees reach full maturity,” he explained.
“Our president is doing great, but we need him to pay attention to the cashew sector. With enough production, processing and consumption will follow naturally. Cashew can create jobs, boost health, and become a major source of national income.”
Despite challenges, NCAN remains focused. “We’ve started this with the little in our hands,” he said. “After the one million seedlings, we’re looking at two million, then three million. Cashew is the future, and we’re not waiting for promises — we’re making it happen.”
“Courtesy – DAILY INDEPENDENT”
https://independent.ng/cashew-expansion-drive-investors-eye-n7-2trn-inflow-into-economy/