By Usman Aliyu

The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) says it has begun the nursing of 40,000 cashew seedlings in Edo.

This is part of its nationwide initiative to lift smallholder farmers out of poverty and increase national cashew output.

NCAN’s President, Dr Joseph Ajanaku, disclosed this at the commencement of the project in Auchi and Omuora, Edo.

Ajanaku, represented by Mr Mohammed Kabir, National Financial Secretary, NCAN, said the effort was aimed at scaling Nigeria’s cashew production from 580,000 metric tonnes to two million metric tonnes annually.

He said the initiative was in partnership with Beyond Farming Collective (BFC), an initiative funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

According to him, the move is strategic for job creation and economic revitalisation.

“We are cultivating about one million cashew seedlings in nurseries across the country.

“The 40,000 seedlings in Edo are part of this larger plan. Just three weeks ago, I was in Kogi where we raised 20,000 seedlings and last week in Markudi for another 20, 000,” he said.

The president said the initiative spanned 21 states with fertile land for large-scale cashew cultivation.

The initiative, he asserted, had already seen the successful nurturing of 300,000 seedlings across Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Edo, and Enugu.

“This project is not just about trees, it’s about people. Cashew has the potential to inject billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy if stakeholders support it.

“We want to meet our target in the next five years and make Nigeria the highest producer of cashew in the world,” Ajanaku said.

The NCAN president emphasised the socio-economic potential of the cashew value chain.

“This exercise can curb anti-social behaviours and drastically reduce poverty. Cashew is a veritable source of income for farmers, especially youth and women.

“It offers long-term financial security with minimal maintenance once established,” he said.

He, however, appealed to government and development partners to key into the project’s vision.

“We’re seeking support to scale this impact. This is not a political programme. It’s a clear economic solution.

“Edo State is currently the highest producer of cashew in Nigeria, and our cashew ranks among the best in quality globally,” he noted.

He also urged residents of the state to plant cashew on any available land space.

“Don’t wait for large farms; cashew can grow in small plots and bring big income. Let’s utilise our land for something profitable,” he said.

In his remark, Mr Osas Ojeikere, Chairman, Edo Chapter of NCAN, hailed Ajanaku for what he described as “a morale-boosting leadership style that keeps the vision alive across all states.”

Mr Isaac Ikharo, a cashew farmer and entrepreneur in Omuora, praised President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that such agricultural initiatives resonate with the Federal Government’s development drive.

“President Tinubu’s agenda is working. We have seen a renewed focus on agriculture and it’s time for us farmers to seize this opportunity to multiply our cashew yields,” Ikharo said.

Ikharo urged other farmers to seize the opportunity to multiply their cashew yields.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Edo is one of the first seven states participating in the ongoing cashew planting project. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Uche Anunne