The main point here is that we need to shift our focus from Petrol Dollar to Cashew Dollar. Time to add value to our cashew and thereby create more jobs for our unemployed young people, reduce unemployment, diversify our economy, earn more foreign exchange, reduce the pressure on our Naira, stimulate economic growth and get a bigger share of the Cashew Dollar is now.

1. Presentation by sotonye anga @ export platform business luncheon 19/2/15

2. PRESENTATION BY SOTONYE ANGA, NATIONAL
PUBLICITY SECRETARY, NATIONAL CASHEW
ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA AND MANAGING DIRECTOR,
UNIVERSAL QUEST NIGERIA AT THE EXPORT PLATFORM
BUSINESS LUNCHEON ON THE 19
TH
FEBRUARY 2015
When cashew was introduced in Nigeria, the main objective was for the
cashew trees to checkmate soil erosion and contribute to aforestation.
However, the story has changed. Cashew is now a cash crop and its
tree of great economic value.
Nigeria is amongst the world’s top 5 largest cashew producing
countries.
I need to point out that cashew is our heritage and one crop for which
Nigeria has comparative advantage, and this explains why we have to
be innovative and deliberately stimulate continuous improvements and
drive growth in the cashew sector.
Developing and investing in Nigeria’s cashew industry offers a straight
route from poverty to financial freedom and prosperity for thousands of
families.
Today, cashew is a major foreign exchange earner for Nigeria and thus
listed as a transformational crop in the Agricultural Transformation
Presentation by sotonye anga @ export platform business luncheon 19/2/15

3. Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government of Nigeria under
President Goodluck Jonathan.
From its humble beginning, our cashew has also grown to become the
winner crop that is supporting over 300,000 families in Nigeria
covering the North, West, East and South of the country.
Our annual production of raw cashew nuts now stands at 144,000 tons
and still growing.
In the last 9 years cashew prices in Nigeria had increased by
266.7%
I had my first taste of cashew as a little boy in Port Harcourt, then we
visit the cashew trees and pluck the fruit, eat them and then burn/roast
the nuts to get the cashew kernel, but I doubt if you will still find those
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4. cashew trees there, since most of the farm land have been converted to
housing estates. This is how urbanization has affected our cashew
population.
The interesting thing however is that the popularity of cashew continues
to grow significantly with more farmers growing cashew on their farms.
Let me also use this opportunity to request that cashew seedlings be
added to the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) as part of the
inputs farmers can get from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Nigeria needs to consolidate its place in the cashew world by increasing
its cashew production and processing considering the growing demand
for cashew globally and the rising consumer appetite for the crop.
As we allocate more land for cashew cultivation, our major focus should
be to increase our national average in terms of yield per hectare which is
around 400 - 600kg/ha to at least 1,000 -1,500kg/ha, and this
can be achieved through the following:
1. Establishment of a national cashew seed programme.
2. Improving farm level productivity by planting improved disease
resistant high yielding cashew seedlings.
3. Rejuvenation of old cashew farms.
4. Capacity building for cashew farmers.
In the 1980s Vietnam’s cashew production was same as what we had in
Nigeria.
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5. By 1990 Vietnam began processing their cashew and 16 years after they
had become the largest processor and exporter of cashew kernels in the
world and by 2013 Vietnam earned $1.8 Billion USD from cashew
kernel exports to over 80 countries.
$1.8 Billion USD per annum in Naira terms is an equivalent of N351
Billion Naira from just cashew alone.
Ladies and gentlemen, the main point here is that we need to shift our
focus from Petrol Dollar to Cashew Dollar.
The time to add value to our cashew and thereby create more jobs for
our unemployed young people, reduce unemployment, diversify our
economy, earn more foreign exchange, reduce the pressure on our
Naira, stimulate economic growth and get a bigger share of the Cashew
Dollar is now.
To achieve this, means Nigeria needs to take cashew business seriously
and unlock financing to the nation’s cashew sector.
As it is, the cashew sector in Nigeria will require financing to the tune of
50 Billion Naira to enable it boost production, processing and
marketing and in return generate turnover of one Trillion Naira in 10
years for our country.
It is clear that when we export only raw cashew, we also export
our jobs and so we need to reverse this trend.
Let us not forget that Africa is the centre of the cashew world, producing
over 40% of 2,600,000 tons of the world’s cashew nuts and Nigeria
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6. stands as one of the largest cashew producers in the continent
alongside Ivory coast, Guinea Bissau, Tanzania, Ghana, Benin,
Mozambique, Kenya and most recently Mali.
I am glad that February 2015 is proving to be a fabulous month for
cashew in Nigeria, our cashew harvest is going well followed by strict
adherence to post harvest cashew quality improvement protocols.
In the last few days our farmers have maintained high level of discipline
and have dried their newly harvested 2015 cashew crop.
Currently we are getting out turn of 48-52 KOR and nut counts of 180-
190 nuts per kg. This is premium quality and we hope to sustain this
trend.
Furthermore, NCAN hopes to see more equitable distribution of wealth
across the cashew value chain that will positively benefit cashew
farmers, local buying agents, exporters and processors.
Recognizing the critical role our farmers play, we want to see improved
value accruals to them and other players in the cashew value chain to
ensure sustainability and survival of the cashew sector.
Indeed it is my pleasure to announce on behalf of the national executive
council of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria that the 20
th
of
the fabulous month of February officially flags off the 2015 national
cashew season.
Presentation by sotonye anga @ export platform business luncheon 19/2/15

7. My distinguished cashew farmers, traders, processors and all industry
stakeholders, the much awaited cashew season is now open, and now,
you are at liberty to cash in on the cash in cashew.
Cashew will contribute 42 Billion Naira to Nigeria’s economy in 2015
and we want every one of you to get your fair share of this cashew
wealth.
Wishing you prosperity and success this 2015 cashew
season.
Thank you!!
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