WorldStage Newsonline– The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has called on the federal and state governments for financial assistance to boost cashew production in the country.
NCAN’s President, Dr Ojo Ajanaku, made the call at the third edition of the National Cashew Day, on Friday in Lagos.
The three days, has the theme: ”Catalysing Sustainability in Nigeria Cashew Industry.”
Ajanaku who appreciated both the federal and state governments for their roles in the cashew industry, appealed for more in terms of funding.
“We are having this programme to sensitise our people to know the importance of cash industry in Nigeria and what it can do to change the social life of our people.
“We believe that if we all work together in collaboration, something positive will come out of it in this economic challenge.
“The government has been creating policies, we need more of government attention in terms of policy formulation and the necessary financial support,” he said.
Ajanaku said that such financial support would boost production and the processing of the Nigeria Cashew industry.
He said the association was established with the purpose of bringing every stakeholder in the industry together, to advocate and influence policy formation for the sector.
“As an association, we promote increase in production because we have the capacity to produce more than what we are currently producing as a nation.
“In fact, we were once number one in Africa as at 2010 to 2012 and if we are number one in Africa, it means that we are once number one in the world.
“Today, we have dropped down to the fourth level with the capacity of 350,000 tonnes that we are producing,” he said.
According to him, government should look critically into expanding the cashew industry, as it will benefit the economy in general.
In her address, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister For Industry, Trade and Investment, said the Nigeria cashew sub-sector, over the years, had remained one of the major contributors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy.
Oduwole said the theme of the programme was timely, judging from the global concern on the future and how best to evolve right strategy and efforts, toward a globally competitive cashew industry.
The minister was represented at the event by Mr Akeredolu Johnson.
“The Nigeria cashew sub-sector, over the years, has remained one of the major contributors to the GDP of the economy.
“The sub-sector has continued to impact the economy through its contribution in terms of jobs and wealth along the value chain.
“Cashew currently ranked third behind cocoa and sesame, in terms of export value, even in the face of huge untapped potential,” she said.
The minister said the country had maintained a steady increase in the production of the commodity, contributing immensely to the global supply chain.
She said the industry had sustainably created hundreds of thousands of jobs for Nigerians, who were engaged at the various point of the value chain of the commodity.
“This has contributed to food security, job creation; foreign exchange earnings; economic diversification agenda; wealth creation for individuals; especially, women and youths and revenue to the government.
“The country is also desirous of achieving expanded market, hence, our continued efforts and commitment to ensuring basic stipulated market requirements are met, as a major enabler,” Oduwole said.
She said the country was undoubtedly blessed with huge cashew resources, as it is produced in commercial quantity in about 18 states.
“The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is sustaining its efforts and also, working closely with NCAN and other relevant agencies of government.
“We are also working with the Organised Private Sector, towards creating a robust cashew sector that delivers globally competitive value-added products in one hand.
“We are also striving to secure high profits for all actors, through right programmes and activities aimed at enhancing the respective value chain particularly, value addition and products development,” she said.
She added that the ministry had taken into account, the need to create the right environment and platforms to spur investment across the cashew value chain.
According to her, there is the need to create market linkages and provide technical support, especially towards strengthening the domestic production, processing and marketing capabilities.
“We are not unaware of the numerous challenges we are been confronted, which borders on high cost of processing. We are also aware of the limited availability of credit for processors to support their capability.
“Even though the challenges are enormous, we must continue to brainstorm, until we find solution on way forward,” she said.
She, however, encouraged the association to remain a formidable association, by keeping to their commitment and obligations, as enshrined in their constitution.
