FG, USDA parley to galvanise $10 million opportunities in cashew productivity

 The Minister Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), West Africa have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop cashew productivity towards creation of ten million dollar opportunities and national food security as well.

This was said in press release from the ministry signed by Mrs Okeh Juliet for the director of information.

Nanono stated that the MoU initiative would help the ministry to achieve its target production increase from 260,000metric tons to 350,000 by 2023, and processing capacity from 15% in 2020 to 35 in the next two years.

The statement also credited the minister to have constituted a cashew value chain working committee headed by the Managing Director, Nigeria Agricbusiness Registrar, Mr. Roland Oroh who was mandated to develop a 10 year strategic plan for cashew productivity with the support of USDA and other stakeholders to get a right programme and guide to ensure future interventions that would attract investors. 

Chief of Party/ Managing Director of the USDA West Africa PRO-Cashew Project, Mr. Jeans Francois Guay was also credited as saying that the MoU initiative was a five year project meant to expand new frontiers for Agriculture in Nigeria, as farmers’ organization and agro suppliers’ capacity would be built in service delivery and orchard management. 

The press release had other stakeholders in attendance to include- Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute (CRIN),  Dr.Adeola Patrick, Mr Bishnu Pattanaik of Huxley, Mr Olu Adeyemi, Manager West Africa, GrainPro Inc, and the President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria Hon. Ojo Ajanaku. 

It was also stated in the press release that the Minister in another activity had received the Niger State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Abubakar Sani Bello and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi as they have discussed on how to partner in order to promote agribusiness towards generation of foreign exchange and jobs for the teaming Nigerian youths.