Cashew Farmers, Processors, Marketers To Host Maiden Cooperative Summit In Abuja

All is now set for the National Cashew Farmers, Processors, and Marketing Cooperative Ltd to host the First National Cashew Cooperative Summit in Abuja, Nigeria.

According to the president of the cooperative, Yunusa Gabriel Enemali, “This event marks a major shift in our efforts to promote the growth and development of the cashew industry in Nigeria”.

The summit, themed “The Importance of Cashew Crop to the Nation’s Economy,” aims to bring together stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector. Enemali emphasised the potential of the cashew industry, stating, “The cashew sector in Nigeria has tremendous potential and value chain addition, especially in rural communities.”

Despite being one of the largest producers of cashew nuts globally, Nigeria’s industry faces challenges such as limited access to finance and markets, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of policy framework.

Enemali noted that addressing these challenges is crucial to unlocking the sector’s full potential.

The summit will provide a platform for stakeholders to showcase innovations, foster partnerships, and validate the draft Cashew Policy, according to him.

Enemali expressed appreciation for the federal government’s support in revamping the cooperative movement, demonstrating their commitment to the growth and development of the cashew industry.

The event is scheduled to take place from August 13th to 15th, 2025, and will feature discussions on the importance of cashew crops to the nation’s economy.

“Cashew is the only farm produce, be it food or cash crop, that the name starts with CASH from the seed to the table is Cash. Don’t forget, cashew matters because it’s the diamond from the tree.”

The summit aims to empower rural cashew farmers, processors, and marketers through collaborative efforts, capacity building, and advocacy.

In a brief remark, Federal Director of Cooperatives, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Idris Ali Sani, said, “The cashew industry in Nigeria has tremendous potential for economic growth and job creation opportunities.”

He said, “Registering cashew farmers as a cooperative body is essential for accessing support from the government and international partners. This registration enables farmers to contribute resources, aggregate capital, and support production, processing, and marketing efforts.

“NAIC is working with cashew farmers to identify and sensitise them to register as a cooperative body, which will provide recognition and support for their activities. This initiative aims to promote the growth and development of the cashew industry, enhancing economic stability and livelihoods for farmers.”

Cashew production has multiple economic benefits, including generating employment, increasing income for farmers, and earning foreign exchange for the nation.

By processing cashews locally, Nigeria can create around 250-300 jobs for every thousand metric tonnes exported, reducing the number of jobs exported and increasing the value of the product.

The event is expected to attract stakeholders from across the country, including farmers, processors, marketers, government officials, policymakers, and carbon credit creators.

By fostering collaboration and innovation, the summit will enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Nigeria’s cashew industry

The cashew industry faces challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of policy framework. However, with government support and investment in the sector, Nigeria can increase processing and export of cashews, thereby growing jobs and revenue.

The First National Cashew Cooperative Summit is an example of efforts to bring stakeholders together to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector. The summit provides a platform for showcasing innovations, fostering partnerships, and validating the draft Cashew Policy.

Internationally, countries like Tanzania have also hosted conferences on the cashew industry, highlighting its potential and opportunities for investment and growth. These conferences bring together stakeholders to discuss production, agro-mechanization, technology, and marketing in the cashew sector.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Secretary of Cooperatives Financing, Emmanuel Attama has expressed NAIC’s commitment to supporting the cashew industry through cooperative efforts.

According to him, “Financing the value chain, using the cooperative instrumentality is not a problem for us. Once the apex cooperative for cashew was formed, it signifies power to the people.”

Attama emphasised that the cooperative model puts power in the hands of cashew farmers, enabling them to develop their industry. He noted that the current leadership in the cashew sector has helped reduce wastage within the value chain.

“We no longer experience that with the type of leadership that is in place,” he stated.

The NAIC aims to empower cashew farmers through access to finance, using the cooperative development fund. Attama explained, “The cooperative development fund is already in place. The cashew farmers’ apex is part and parcel of it, and we want to make sure that you also have access to funds from that area.”

Attama highlighted the importance of partnership and solidarity in developing the value chain and providing inclusion for farmers.

Attama said, “The NAIC’s cooperative inclusive strategy aims to provide farmers with access to finance, inputs, markets, pension, healthcare, and housing. I think this is one of the best things that has happened to Nigeria, and we all hands must be on deck to make sure that the cashew as a product is properly developed and it is used as a means of enterprise, and also as a means of putting food on the table of the ordinary Nigerians.”