The federal government has announced that it is taking proactive measures to assist farmers in the cashew process in an effort to establish cashew as one of the nation’s primary sources of foreign exchange (FX).

According to the government, the commodity has unrealised potential to boost rural economies and provide employment nationwide.

Federal Director of Cooperatives Idris Ali Sani, speaking at a media conference hosted by the National Apex Cashew Producers, Processors, and Marketing Cooperative in Abuja, encouraged cashew producers to establish registered cooperatives to receive government assistance.

He stressed that cooperative registration remained key to accessing finance, technology, and government interventions.

Sani said, “The essence of this registration is to identify individual cashew farmers in all the producing states and see how they can join to register as a cooperative society.

“By doing this, they gain recognition from the government, international partners, and other stakeholders for possible support.

“An individual farmer who is a smallholder cannot do it alone. But when they come together and register as a cooperative body, they have that advantage to elect leadership, access finance, and receive capacity development.”

He further emphasised the economic potential of the cashew industry, adding that the country had already made its mark as one of the top global producers of cashew nuts.

He said, “Cashew is an important economic tree that benefits the producers and the nation. It can be processed into juice, biscuits, and many more. These are the kinds of products we are trying to promote in Nigeria.”

In his remarks, President of the Cooperative, Yunusa Gabriel Enemali, described the cashew sector as a “diamond from the tree,” adding that the crop can power Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

He said the cooperative’s vision is to make the country a leading cashew-producing and processing nation, enhancing economic growth and farmers’ livelihoods.

He noted that despite Nigeria being among the top global cashew producers, the industry still struggles with poor infrastructure, limited market access, lack of finance, and weak policy support.

He said, “The cashew sector in Nigeria has tremendous potential, especially in rural communities. However, we face challenges like inadequate infrastructure, pest and disease management, and a lack of quality research institutes and standardisation. Cashew is the fourth largest earner for Nigeria in the last five to six years.”

Highlighting the sector’s inclusiveness, Enemali stressed that 90 per cent of the workforce in the cashew sector is made up of women and youth—on the farm, in factories, and beyond.

He announced the First National Cashew Cooperative Summit, scheduled for August 13–15, 2025. This summit will bring together stakeholders from all 36 states and the FCT to discuss the industry’s future, validate a national cashew policy, and explore financing and value chain development opportunities.

Emmanuel Attama, Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Cooperative Financing Agency, pledged financial and institutional support to cashew farmers through a cooperative-driven strategy.

He said, “Those involved in cashew farming and suffering losses will now be empowered. The cooperative development fund is already in place, and the cashew farmers’ apex body is part of it.

“This will give them access to refined products, markets, finance, and essential services like health care, pensions, and housing.”

Attama emphasised the importance of aggregating smallholder farmers to increase production for both domestic consumption and export.

He stated, “The entire cooperative movement in Nigeria strongly supports efforts in the cashew industry. Cashew should be developed as a significant enterprise to sustain ordinary Nigerians.”

At the event, government officials, cooperative leaders, and private sector stakeholders concurred that a fully developed cashew industry could substantially increase non-oil revenue, improve the lives of rural communities, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global agricultural markets.

Source: This Day