Kogi Gov Flags Off 2026 Cashew Season With New Policy, Targets ₦86.8bn Revenue

News in Brief:

-Kogi State has launched the 2026 cashew season, unveiling a new procurement and trade policy and distributing seedlings to boost production.

-The state is targeting up to ₦86.8 billion in revenue through expanded planting, value addition, and stricter regulation of the cashew trade.

The Kogi State Government has flagged off the 2026 Cashew Production and Marketing Season with the unveiling of a new cashew policy and the distribution of seedlings to farmers.

With a renewed commitment to cashew farming, the government is targeting ₦86.8 billion in revenue from the crop within the next few months.

The governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, performed the flag-off ceremony at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja.

At the event, which he described as a defining turning point in the state’s agricultural and economic transformation agenda, the governor unveiled the state’s Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy 2025.

The new policy, complemented by the distribution of free hybrid cashew seedlings to registered and verified farmers across the state, underscores the government’s renewed commitment to improving production in the sector.

Five Million Cashew Trees

According to Ododo, cashew remains one of Kogi State’s most valuable natural endowments. However, he lamented the persistent failure to appreciate and protect its immense economic potential fully.

This, he said, is why the state is taking a more active approach to cashew production in 2026 by planting five million trees and supporting the industry through input supply and strategic policy implementation to boost production and ensure better returns for farmers.

“As we officially flag off the 2026 cashew season today, we are planting five million cashew trees in anticipation of a bumper harvest. We are planting hope. We are planting prosperity. We are planting resilience. And we are planting the future of a stronger, more productive Kogi,” the governor said, noting that the time to ensure Kogi resources work for Kogi people is now.

He further emphasised that cashew has various forms of units and uses. They include food uses, medicinal uses, industrial uses, agricultural and environmental uses, economic uses, and even cosmetic uses.

Ododo explained that cashew is used in the production of insecticides, pharmaceuticals, and health-enhancing products, while cashew trees help prevent soil erosion and provide sustainable income for farmers. “When you know all of this, do we value ourselves? Do we value what God has given us?” Governor Ododo asked, expressing concern that many beneficiaries of the cashew economy are outsiders, while locals fail to organise and defend their interests.

Kogi’s New Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy

Earlier at the event, while welcoming stakeholders, the Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA), Hon. Adewale Victor Omofaiye, said the programme reflects a deliberate policy direction that places agriculture, structured markets, and commodity development at the centre of Kogi State’s economic growth strategy.

He noted that the Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, which came into effect on November 28, 2025, provides a clear regulatory framework aimed at strengthening productivity, quality control, market access, and value retention within the state.

The policy introduces strict quality and market regulations, including the mandatory use of approved jute bags for packaging. It also prohibits foreign buyers from directly hijacking produce at the farm gate, mandating that foreigners transact only through registered, government-approved agents with proper documentation.

According to Omofaiye, these measures are designed to protect farmers, stabilise prices, and ensure transparency and fairness in the cashew trade. He added that the policy will be reviewed every three years to reflect changing market realities.

Revenue Targets and Goals

Speaking on the state’s expectations from the renewed commitment to the cashew industry, Governor Ododo said the government is targeting ₦86.8 billion within four months from cashew production alone.

The governor revealed that findings on the enormous value and demand in the cashew industry, both locally and internationally, show that the state could generate this amount between January and April if properly harnessed.

According to him, the true economic value lies not only in production but also in processing, packaging, branding, and structured trade. This, he said, is why his administration is committed to establishing cashew processing facilities in the state.

“Processing is where value is created, jobs are multiplied, and prosperity is retained and shared. By supporting investments in processing plants and encouraging the production of value-added products such as kernels, packaged nuts, and industrial by-products, we will reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmer earnings, and ensure that more wealth remains within our local economy,” Gov Ododo said.

“We see opportunities for our young people and women across every segment of the cashew value chain, from farming to processing, packaging, logistics, marketing, and export,” he added, noting that the new direction aligns with the state’s broader economic vision of diversification and empowerment for youth and women.