The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has commenced the cultivation of 40,000 cashew seedlings in Edo State as part of a national initiative to empower smallholder farmers and increase Nigeria’s cashew production.
NCAN President, Dr. Joseph Ajanaku, made this known during the launch of the project in Auchi and Omuora, Edo. He was represented by Mr. Mohammed Kabir, NCAN’s National Financial Secretary.
Ajanaku said the initiative aims to raise Nigeria’s annual cashew output from 580,000 metric tonnes to two million metric tonnes. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Beyond Farming Collective (BFC), an initiative supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“This effort is strategic for job creation and economic revitalisation,” he stated. “We’re currently cultivating about one million cashew seedlings in nurseries nationwide. The 40,000 seedlings in Edo are part of this broader plan.”
He noted that just weeks earlier, similar seedlings were planted in Kogi and Benue, with 20,000 raised in each location. The initiative spans 21 states identified as fertile zones for large-scale cashew farming.
According to Ajanaku, the programme has already nurtured over 300,000 seedlings across Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Oyo, Osun, Edo, and Enugu.
“This project is not just about planting trees; it’s about transforming lives. Cashew farming has the potential to inject billions into Nigeria’s economy if we get the support we need,” he said. “Our target is to make Nigeria the world’s top cashew producer within five years.”
He emphasised the socio-economic potential of the cashew value chain, particularly its capacity to reduce poverty and create stable incomes for youth and women.
“Cashew provides a sustainable income and requires minimal maintenance once established,” he added.
Ajanaku called on government bodies and development partners to support the initiative, describing it as a non-political economic solution.
“Edo State is already the largest cashew-producing state in Nigeria, and our cashew is globally ranked among the best in quality,” he said.
He encouraged residents to plant cashew trees on any available land, noting that profitable farming doesn’t require vast estates.
“Even small plots can generate significant income. Let’s make every piece of land count,” he urged.
Mr. Osas Ojeikere, Chairman of the NCAN Edo chapter, praised Ajanaku’s leadership for inspiring state-level action and momentum.
Also speaking, Mr. Isaac Ikharo, a cashew farmer and entrepreneur in Omuora, commended President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This initiative aligns with the federal government’s development goals. The focus on agriculture is real, and now is the time for farmers to double their yields,” Ikharo said.
He urged fellow farmers to take advantage of the programme to scale their operations.
Edo is one of the first seven states participating in the ongoing cashew planting initiative.
