Kogi governor launches 2026 cashew season, unveils trade policy, free seedlings

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has officially flagged off the 2026 cashew season, unveiling a new Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy and launching a programme to distribute free hybrid cashew seedlings to farmers across the state. The initiative is part of the administration’s broader strategy to strengthen Kogi’s position in Nigeria’s agricultural export economy.

Speaking at the launch in Lokoja, Governor Ododo described cashew as one of Kogi’s most valuable natural resources, lamenting that the economic benefits of the crop have often favoured outsiders rather than local communities. He highlighted the crop’s wide range of applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, insecticides, and environmental uses, stressing the need for locals to fully capitalise on its potential.

“This programme is about productivity, quality, market access, and shared prosperity. It is about building a structured cashew economy that works for Kogi State and Nigeria at large,” the governor said.

The Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA), Hon. Adewale Victor Omofaiye, explained that the newly launched Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, effective from November 28, 2025, provides a regulatory framework to enhance productivity, maintain quality standards, stabilise prices, and secure market access for farmers.

The policy also mandates the use of approved jute bags for packaging and restricts foreign buyers from purchasing directly from farm gates, requiring all transactions to go through registered government-approved agents. Violations will attract fines or confiscation of produce.

Kogi State is a major player in Nigeria’s cashew industry, accounting for approximately 40 percent of the country’s annual output, which contributes to Nigeria’s position as the world’s fourth-largest cashew producer with export earnings exceeding $700 million. For the 2024–2025 season, Kogi’s production was estimated at 350,000 metric tons, with quality standards meeting international benchmarks.

Governor Ododo also encouraged private investment in cashew processing plants within the state to reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs, improve product quality, and retain a larger share of the value chain locally.

The flag-off ceremony brought together government officials, traditional rulers, and representatives of farmers’ associations, who welcomed the initiatives as significant steps toward sustainable agricultural growth and economic self-reliance for Kogi State.