By Fatima Saka
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr.
Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, has said cashew
nuts will make over of $500 million in 2023.
Abubakar made this statement during the Nigerian
Cashew Day on Tuesday in Abuja.
The minister added that in the realization of the
importance of cashew, the Federal Government,
through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development, listed cashew as a priority crop.
“In Nigeria, cashew is increasing in importance as an
export-oriented cash crop since the 1990s. It has
become an important source of non-oil export
earnings,” said the minister. “It is estimated to
represent over 10 per cent GDP based on export
data of 2022, and it is becoming a commercial crop
in Nigeria and is cultivated in 27 states, including
the FCT.”
”It is being promoted under the Import Substitution
Strategy of the present administration led by
President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
Abubakar said the cashew value chain was among
the crops being promoted under the value chain
programme of the ministry.
“The ministry had carried out a number of activities
over the years to promote the growth of the value
chain in the country, including the distribution of
improved seeds/seedlings to cashew farmers free of
charge.
“Establishment of cashew cottage industries in
some states, distribution of agrochemicals/growth
enhancers, carbon-free jute bags and knapsack
sprayers,” the minister.