Following the current high rate of unemployment bedeviling Nigeria, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has given an assurance that his administration will invest more in Cashew Business as alternative source of survival for the people.
Ododo maintained that apart from job creation, Cashew Value Chain has the potential of boosting the state’s socio-economic and industrial development.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance while flagging off the 2026 Cashew Season and Unveiling of Kogi Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025, as well as Distribution of five million Hybrid Cashew Seedlings to Farmers, held at the Government House, Lokoja over the weekend.
The launch was organized by the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA) in collaboration with Agro Trading Consult Limited (ATCL) to commence the activities of this year’s Cashew farming in the state.
According to Governor Ododo “My administration is encouraging investment in Cashew Production in large scale commercial as it remains the most valuable cash crops and a major player in wealth creation, socio-economic and industrial development of a given society.
“Our focus as a government should shift from emphasis in politics to large scale investment in cash crops especially Cashew Production, Packaging, Processing, Branding and Structured Grades”
He noted that Cashew could be used as food, medicine, industrial purpose, agriculture, and cosmetic amongst others hence the need for heavy investment in the sector in view of its enormous value to human existence.
The Governor warned against stakeholders who embark on unregistered and illegal middle men in Cashew Business and other mining activities in the state to desist forth with or be ready to face prosecution.
“Stakeholders should endeavor to follow due process by getting themselves registered as any person found violating this government policy will be made to face the full wrath of the law”
The Director-general of Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency, KOSCEPA, Victor Omofaiye in his welcome address, outlined the benefits of cashew to include; promotion of local cashew processing industries for job creation, enhancement of quality control and maintenance of Kogi’s reputation as a top cashew processing state, establishment of a structural and traceable cashew marketing system, increasing state revenue through organized trade and export levies and showcasing Kogi state cashew to the world.
Omofaiye also enumerated measures put in place to ensure Cashew Nuts quality control and regulation.
“No foreigner is allowed to purchase we raw Cashew Nuts. All buyers and exporters of Cashew nuts within Kogi state shall register with Agro trading Consult Limited in order to qualify for participation in the 2026 Cashew season.
“The use of the Kogi state customized jute bag is sacrosanct, as without it no Cashew nut is permitted to leave the state. All licensed buying agents must grant access for grading and inspection of all Cashew within the Agro Trading Consult Limited accredited warehouses for quality certification purposes.
“Fumigation of all ATCL accredited warehouses for storing cashew is mandatory. Payment of all regulatory levies is sacrosanct
“Shaking of cashew trees to reduce early harvest is strictly prohibited,” he explained.
Kogi State’s Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Muktar Shaibu, in his remarks, praised Governor Ododo policy on poverty reduction in the state through agriculture particularly in Cashew Production.
According to the commissioner “Kogi people will remain supportive of this laudable policy which has brought relief and smiles on their faces”
In his remarks, ATCL Consultant, Jude Obinama Petrus, expected to drive the project in the State, assured that the State would harvest it value addition in the Cashew project, described the initiative as a game changer.
