Farmers in Kwara State have called for more synergy between processing industries and farmers to boost cashew business.
The call is coming on the heels of the commencement of operation of a newly established multimillion naira cashew processing plant, Annie Glidden Commodities (AG) Nigeria Limited, located at Eiyenkorin, Kwara State.
The state chairman of the Cashew Growers Association of Nigeria, Alabi Tunde, while describing the addition as “a welcome development that will further boost the production and processing of cashew in the state,” called on the new owners to “cooperate with all stakeholders in the value chain and properly scrutinise where they get their seed.
“This is because cashew seeds have varieties,” he explained.
Another cashew farmer, Jamiu Abdullateef, said their coming would boost cashew production in the state.
“Our advice is that their coming should not be to trouble cashew farmers in the state but assist them and improve the trade. We will like to follow the template they met on ground that properly separates processors, merchants and licensing buying agents so that there will not be friction or tension,” he noted.
During a visit to the factory, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said his administration’s agenda, among other things, was to make Kwara a hub for cashew nuts processing in Nigeria.
“As you know, Kwara is a major producer of cashew nuts and Nigeria is putting more interest in cashew processing. So, it is a good thing to have a local production and make sure we export processed cashew nuts rather than raw nuts. This investment is a major one, being about the third major cashew company in the state.
“It is logical and will be more lucrative to have cashew nuts processed locally for export than to ferry out the raw nuts,” he said, adding that the state government would leave no stone unturned to encourage all cashew processing companies in the state to thrive.
AbdulRazaq acknowledged the commitment of AG Commodities to grow the local economy through their investment, and congratulated them on the start of operation, adding that the administration is open for partnership.
The managing director of AG Commodities, AdemolaAdesokan, said they located the company in Kwara because of its strategic location in the cashew belt.
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Source: Daily Trust
https://dailytrust.com/farmers-seek-better-deal-as-cashew-industry-births-in-kwara/
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Submitted on 2 January, 2024 08:37 am