Cashew

Argungu (Kebbi), Sept. 11, 2023: Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday said the Federal Government is set to plant 2 million jumbo cashew seedlings in five North Western States.

He disclosed this during a condolence visit on the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad-Mera in his palace at Argungu.

The VP was in Kebbi to console the deceased’s immediate family, Emir, Kebbi Government and the entire people of the state over the demise of prominent Islamic Scholar, Sheik Abubakar Giro, who passed away on Wednesday.

The benefitting states are Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna.

The vice president said he had already raised 2 million jumbo cashew seedlings in Borno “and we shall start moving them to Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and other Northwestern states.”

Shettima described Kebbi as a rich state with deep loamy soil conducive for cultivating variety of crops, noting that people had no reason to be poor.

“Let me assure you that 1,000 houses will be constructed across the five states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfaraand and Kaduna from the N50 billion Northwest Infrastructure Development Fund.

“Very soon work will commence, work will either kick-start from Sokoto or Kebbi, depending on who among the governors provide land first but I intended to start from the seat of Caliphate,” he said.

The VP said Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State promised to lend two “Dandoreach” drilling equipment which had the capacity to drill borehole up to 2000 meters, adding that now they need only to buy other working tools to commence work.

He added that Zulum also plgded to provide five Centre P-board Irrigation equipment.

He said they had already discussed with the Kebbi Governor about $163 million loan from African Development Bank for the cultivation of wheat, assuring the loan would be given to any state that distinguish itself in that direction.

“It is not going to be like the Ancho-Borrower Scheme, interested state will be given fertilisers, seeds, solar powered water pumps and by Nov. 10, we shall start planting the wheat. If Kebbi can provide 10,000 hectres of farmland, we are ready to commence work.

“We have resolved to start with 50,000 hectres in Jigawa because the state has enough farmland to give for the scheme and the state is relatively peaceful. The state government will train extension workers who will go round to ensure that our people understand modern farming,.

“This is because Jigawa used to produce six tonnes of rice per hectre unlike other places producing only one tonne per hectre,” he said.

Shettima therefore appealed to Kebbi people to support Gov. Nasir Idris and President Bola Tinubu in view of their people oriented policies and programmes that would change the lives of people for the better.

“APC administration in both states and federal levels have good intention for this country, they have series of plan on how to eradicate poverty amongst our people and it can only be achieved with your support, cooperation and peaceful coexistence,” he noted.

In his speech, Gov. Idris thanked the vice president for the condolence visit, assuring that all the developmental projects he had started across Kebbi was as a result of mentorship from the VP.

He recalled that N2.8 billion worth of fertilisers were procured and distributed free-of-chqrge to farmers, N9 billion was spent for road construction in the state capital and N10 billion was also approved for the completion of State Ultra-modern Secretariat to bring all the state civil servants into one place.

Earlier, the Emir of Argungu appreciated the VP for the visit and described the journey as a religious one, praying that God Almighty would reward him abundantly.

The Royal father said what the governor disclosed was not supposed to come from his mouth because they were the direct beneficiaries and living witness who would testify.

He assured that the governor had begun the leadership with a very sound foundation that would take the state to greater heights of development.

The emir listed infrastructure, education, health, empowerment, agriculture and security as some of the major areas of priority of Gov. Idris, assuring that all the areas were vividly witnessing transformation.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood –Abubakar, says Cashew nuts export from Nigeria generated over $250 million in 2022 and Cashew export is expected to fetch Nigerian farmers about $500 million in 2023 .

He said that the crop has become a priority crop.

Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, who spoke for the Minister, said at the Nigerian Cashew day and Cashew season flag- off with the theme: Industrializing the Nigeria Cashew Sector through Inclusive Policies,” on Tuesday.

“In Nigeria, Cashew is increasing in its importance as an export oriented cash crop since the 1990’s, it has become an important source of non-oil export earnings (estimated to represent over 10% GDP based on export data of 2022) becoming a commercial crop in Nigeria and is cultivated in 27 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‘In realization of the importance of Cashew, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development listed Cashew as a priority crop to be promoted under the Import Substitution Strategy of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

According to him, the Cashew Value Chain is among the crops being promoted under the Value Chain Programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

“The Ministry has carried out a number of activities over the years to promote the growth of the value chain in the Country including the distribution of improved seeds/seedlings to cashew farmers free of charge.

“Establishment of cashew cottage industries in some states, distribution of agro-chemicals/growth enhancers, carbon free jute bags, knapsack sprayers, water pumps to cashew farmers, conducting capacity building/training for Cashew farmers, and having sensitization exercises.

 “I therefore, implore you to continue working together in harmony as this is the only way you can make positive impact towards sustainable development of the cashew industry and ensuring its contribution in achieving the overall goal of this Administration’s Economic Diversification Agenda.”he added

Mr Ojo Ajanaku, President , National Cashew Association of NIgeria (NCAN) said during his keynote address ,that Nigeria is steadily expanding, becoming export hub and taking over in the Countries FOREX trading over the last three years by at least 11 percent.

“This implies that the sector has the potential to drive National revenue generation, increase job creation and diversity the Economy.

He emphasized that more than 3million people in Nigeria, especially women has become Cashew producers and driving the sector among male counterparts.

He added that NCAN”s long term goal is to transform Nigeria from a low-priced Commodity producer to a reliable supplier and exporter of high quality cashew products and also adopt indigenous innovations and policies that will drive the sector.” he added.

Mr Krishanu Chakravarty, Chief of Party, TechnoServe of Prosper Cashew, has said Nigerian cashew sector has the capacity of making 1.2 billion U.S. dollars between 2025 to 2030.

Chakravarty made this known on Thursday at the 16 African Cashew Alliance (ACA) Annual Cashew Conference in Abuja.

The event was with the theme: “Strengthening Sustainable Kernel & By-product Marketing in the African Cashew Industry.”

He said that the target of the cashew project would be to create more than 26,000 jobs and it could indirectly influence 133,000 citizens into the sector.

According to him, the project will last for five years and it is believed that the biggest strength of Nigeria is its domestic consumption, calling on Nigeria to tap into the market.

” What are we planning to do in Nigeria is to focus on building supply chain, introduction of traceability and improve the market opportunity for the processes, both for domestic and international markets.

”We try to see how to help farmers get access to finance and technical supports that will spread across all the countries that we are working with.

”We have mapped the landscape of cashew processing sector in Nigeria, we started thinking seriously on increasing the on production, which will have a big impact on the processing,” he said

He said for the farmers to be successful with processing, it is important that they upscale their production.

”In Nigeria most of the plants are more than 20 years old, we need to plant new trees, there is need to find out the geographical areas we can plant new trees,” he said.

Mr Ojo Ajanaku, National President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), said the association’s objective is to make the sector a profitable one.

” We will not just keep jobs for the people, we will also protect the social lives of our people.

”We need to encourage our farmers to keep cashew planting and it is our responsibility to help farmers protect their tress,” he said.

He said there was need for the law of demand to be implemented, because when you do not have need for what you are producing, nobody will buy from you.

” We are encouraging processing in Nigeria to create competitiveness. For the farmers to be encouraged in farming their product.

“Cashew is a God-given seed to us in Nigeria, it grows in about 26 states of the federation,” he said.

Mrs Obidike Evelyn, Director Product Development, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), said the council had come into the limelight since the Federal Government is talking about moving away from dependence on oil.

Evelyn said what the council is doing now is to bring forex to the country and create employment for the people.

She commended the firm for the initiative in Nigeria and promised to sign MOU with it for the betterment of cashew farmers and processors.

According to her, the Nigeria market needs unique selling proposition in bringing up data driven innovations in terms of the production, processing, marketing sustainability, certification and traceability.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, says that Nigeria targets to raise its annual production capacity of cashew nuts from 260,000 metric tonnes to over 500,000 metric tonnes.

The minister said this on Monday while declaring open the 16th edition of African Cashew Alliance conference in Abuja.

He said there are huge investment opportunities in the sub-sector, adding that there was need for value addition in the cashew value chain to grow Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, the plan is to increase production of cashew from the current 260,000 metric ton to over 500,000 metric ton within the next few years.

“In the next few years, Nigeria intends to ensure the processing of not less than 50 per cent of its total production,’’ he said.

Adebayo urged investors to invest in the sub-sector with a view to exploring the benefits it provides.

He assured that the Federal Government would ensure the enabling environment for businesses in cashew production, processing and export to thrive.

“The government has put in place incentives to encourage investments in the sub sector.

“This is therefore a call for actors both local and international players to take advantage of these incentives to invest as Nigeria remains the ultimate investment destination for investors in the cashew sub sector,’’ Adebayo said.

The minister also expressed Federal Government’s commitment towards relevant technologies and capacity that would drive the development of cashew value chain.

He, however, tasked stakeholders to curb practices that threaten fair play in the cashew value chain.

“It is the responsibility of all stakeholders, producers and buyers to ensure that they discard practices that threaten fair play in the cashew value chain.

“Let me therefore task stakeholders to take relevant steps to address this lopsidedness of the cashew sub sector to ensure fair trade with near equal distribution of benefits from the commodity amongst producers and importers,’’ he added.

The minister further tasked participants to seize the opportunity provided by the conference to make implementable recommendations for the development of the commodity.

“This will assist governments of cashew producing countries create the needed environment for public and private sector led investments in sub sector to maximise the gains and benefits derived from the commodity.

The minister also emphasised the need to appreciate the importance of evolving strategies for trading proficiency in the production and processing of cashew.

“This will not only support creativity and innovation, but will also help open up new opportunities in the cashew sub sector,’’ he said.

Adebayo said that the only way to enhance the contributions of cashew to the national economy is by transforming raw cashew nuts.

“This will ensure sustainable development of the sector, create new markets for new products, create employment and generate wealth for the citizenry,’’ he said.

Mr Babatola Faseru, President of African Cashew Alliance (ACA), said that cashew was taking the centre stage in Africa.

According to him, Nigeria is the 5th producer of cashew in the world while Africa produces 60 per cent of the cashew in the world.

“The commodity has occupied the centre stage on the continent.

More 30 countries are participating in the four-day conference with the theme, “Strengthening Sustainable Kernel and By-Products’ Marketing in the Africa Cashew Industry.”

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) says it is collaborating with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in Niger to establish cashew juice processing factory.

Mr John Ahmadu, the state Coordinator, RMRDC, made this known in Minna on Wednesday when the council distributed hibreed seeds to some farming associations in the state.

Ahmadu said that the exercise was part of the federal government’s plan to boost large scale farming and provide raw materials for local industries.

“A cashew juice processing factory will soon go into production at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai.

“Already the installation of the machines have been carried out by the RMRDC in Minna, while the university is to put in place other logistics for the takeoff of the factory,” he said.

He explained that the factory was being established in partnership with the university which has the raw materials in abundance but had been carrying out the processing of the juice manually.

The coordinator, who did not give details of the financial involvement by the federal government on the project, said that it was done directly by the headquarters of RMRDC, Abuja.

“We are waiting for the university to complete their own side of the bergain before commissioning the project,” he said.

He said that 200kg each of maize and soya beans seeds and 140kg of seseme seeds were distributed to the various farmer groups.

He said that 2,500 cashew seedlings and equal number of jathropha seeds were given to the university aan the Federal University of Technology, Minna, to increase the hectarage of the crops.

Ahmadu said that the items were given free of charge but  their effective utilisation would determine whether the beneficiaries would get similar support in future from the government.

Responding on behalf of the farmer groups, Alhaji Usman Kwatu, the state Chairman, Soya Beans Growers Association, expressed gratitude to the government for the donation which he said came at the right time.

Kwatu promised that they would judiciously utilise the seeds.