The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has launched a 10-year development plan aimed at raising Nigeria’s raw cashew nut production from about 300,000 tons to one million tons, while ensuring that 50 per cent of the country’s output is processed locally. The initiative, unveiled during the inauguration of the association’s national and state executives in Abuja on Tuesday, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s cashew value chain, expand domestic processing, increase export earnings, attract investment and create employment opportunities. Speaking at the ceremony, NCAN National President, Ademola Adesokan, said the association’s targets represent a structured development agenda with clear implementation milestones rather than lofty ambitions. He explained that although national policies are formulated at the federal level, the real transformation of the cashew industry would be driven by activities within producing states where farming, aggregation, storage and quality management take place. He said the newly inaugurated state chapters will play a central role in delivering the association’s objectives by improving quality assurance, strengthening aggregation networks and promoting traceability across the value chain. “We have set targets of growing national production from about 300,000 tons to one million tonnes within the next decade, with 50 per cent of that volume processed right here at home. That is not a slogan; it is a roadmap with measurable milestones,” Adesokan said. He added that consistent supply of quality raw materials is critical to the success of processors and exporters, noting that the responsibility for achieving this begins with the state chapters. Adesokan also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy, describing it as a bold economic agenda that presents significant opportunities for the agricultural and non-oil export sectors. He however commended the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for their commitment to policies and reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s industrial and agricultural sectors. The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the implementation of the recently validated Nigeria Cashew Roadmap, describing the inauguration as a significant step from policy development to execution. Related News Cashew association suspends revenue collection Nigeria’s cashew exports to EU rise by 12 per cent ‘Nigeria can earn $10b yearly from cashew industry’ Representing the Director of the Industrial Development Department, Olumuyiwa Jayi-Ade, Assistant Director Popoola Abimbola commended NCAN for its contributions to the development of the roadmap, saying the association had helped lay the foundation for a stronger and more competitive cashew industry. Abimbola disclosed that the ministry, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, NCAN and development partners, would begin work on implementation strategies and institutional arrangements to drive the roadmap. He revealed that plans were underway to establish the Nigerian Cashew Project Office (NCPO), which will coordinate reforms, monitor implementation, strengthen stakeholder collaboration and oversee programmes across the cashew value chain. He further noted that the government remains focused on expanding local processing capacity, encouraging value addition, attracting private investment, creating jobs, improving farmers’ incomes and positioning Nigeria as a leading exporter of processed cashew products. Read Also: Nasarawa signs lithium MoU with Chinese firm He also urged members of the association to strengthen NCAN through regular payment of membership dues to improve its capacity for advocacy, stakeholder engagement and collaboration with government. Also speaking, Director of the Commodities and Export Department, Obasi Edozie, described the establishment of state chapters across cashew-producing states as a major institutional achievement that would enhance governance and coordination within the sector. He noted that cashew remains one of Nigeria’s key non-oil export commodities with enormous potential to generate foreign exchange, promote rural economic development, stimulate industrialisation and create employment. Edozie reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to policies that will improve productivity, strengthen quality standards, expand processing capacity and increase the competitiveness of Nigerian cashew products in the global market. He called on stakeholders throughout the value chain to work together in promoting traceability, attracting investment and accelerating local processing to maximise the economic benefits of Nigeria’s growing cashew industry.