Dr Mohammed Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development, who was represented by Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry, said this during the Nigerian Cashew Day and cashew season
commencement on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said: “In Nigeria, cashew has been increasing in its
importance as an export-oriented cash crop since the 1990s, it has become an
important source of non-oil export earnings.”
”It is estimated to represent over 10% of GDP based on
export data of 2022 and it is becoming a commercial crop in Nigeria and is
cultivated in 27 states, including the FCT.
“In recognition of the importance of cashew, the Federal
Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,
listed cashew as a priority crop.
”It is being promoted under the Import Substitution Strategy
of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.”
Abubakar said that the cashew value chain was among the
crops being promoted under the Value Chain Programme of the ministry.
“The Ministry had 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 agrochemicals/growth enhancers, carbon-free jute bags and
knapsack sprayers.
”Others were the provision of water pumps to cashew farmers,
conducting capacity building/training for cashew farmers and having
sensitisation exercises,” the minister added
Mr Ojo Ajanaku, President of the National Cashew Association
of Nigeria (NCAN), stated that Nigeria has been steadily becoming an export
hub, accounting for at least 11 percent of the country’s foreign exchange
trading over the last three years.
He said: “This implies that the sector has the potential to
drive national revenue generation, increase job creation and diversify the
economy.”
Ajanaku said that more than 3 million people in Nigeria,
especially women have become cashew producers and were driving the sector among
their male counterparts.
“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, adopt indigenous innovations and policies that
will drive the sector.” he added. NAN