Comrade Usman Okai Austin, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and political activist, has urged the Kogi State Government to prioritise the welfare of cashew farmers, following its projection of generating ₦86.8 billion from cashew production within the next four months.
While acknowledging the economic potential of the cashew sector, and commend the government for the initiative, Okai advised that that the projected revenue would amount to little more than “beautiful statistics” unless deliberate policies are put in place to protect and empower the farmers who drive the industry.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Okai said that despite the state’s eagerness to rake in billions, most cashew farmers remain trapped in poverty due to years of neglect, lack of access to credit, and the absence of protective frameworks.
“The governor’s ₦86.8 billion projection confirms that cashew is a goldmine, but the interests of the real farmers are conspicuously missing from the roadmap.
“For too long, farmers have suffered losses from farm fires, lack of credit facilities, and zero government safety nets. Many are forced to sell their cashew trees cheaply to middlemen during hard times,” he stated.
He called on the state government to establish a zero-interest loan scheme to shield farmers from exploitation and improve productivity.
Okai also raised concerns over recurring farm fires, often caused by negligence or arson, which he said have wiped out entire livelihoods in a single incident.
“Farmers lose everything in one afternoon due to fire outbreaks. The government must introduce an agricultural insurance framework to protect these investments. The focus should not only be on what the state gains from farmers, but on what the state can do for them,” he said.
While welcoming Governor Ahmed Ododo’s commitment to establishing cashew processing facilities, the ADC chieftain advised that such plants should be sited within farming communities.
“Value addition through processing, packaging, and branding is critical. However, these facilities must be located close to where cashews are grown. Removing them from farming communities will only further alienate local farmers and increase logistics costs,” Okai noted.
He further challenged the state government to be transparent about how the expected ₦86.8 billion would be utilised, insisting that proceeds must be reinvested into the agricultural sector.
According to him, priority attention should be given to local road infrastructure in major cashew-producing areas to ease transportation to markets and processing centres. He listed key roads requiring urgent intervention, including Ogbabo–Abocho–Ajiolo Road, Sharia Bridge, Gboloko–Oguma Road, Iyale–Ogane Nigu Road, Abocho–Adiyele Road, Anyigba–Adiyele Road, Ibaji–Idah axis, and the Egumeh–Ogbogodo Road.
“The public deserves to know how these funds will be reinvested to motivate farmers and improve productivity. Farmers must be allowed to eat the fruit of their labour and not be reduced to mere statistics used to boost internally generated revenue,” Okai said.
He concluded by calling for an effective communication channel between the government and grassroots farmers to ensure inclusiveness and prevent exploitation of hardworking rural producers.
