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From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has given an assurance that his administration will invest more in cashew production, processing, and marketing to generate revenue for the state and provide employment opportunities for the people.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance while flagging off the 2026 Cashew Season and unveiling the Kogi Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025, as well as the distribution of five million hybrid cashew seedlings to farmers, held at the Government House, Lokoja, over the weekend.
The launch was organized by the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA) in collaboration with Agro Trading Consult Limited (ATCL) to commence the activities of this year’s cashew farming in the state.
According to Governor Ododo, “My administration is encouraging investment in cashew production on a large-scale commercial basis, as it remains one of the most valuable cash crops and a major player in wealth creation and the socio-economic and industrial development of any society.”
“Our focus as a government should shift from an emphasis on politics to large-scale investment in cash crops, especially cashew production, packaging, processing, branding, and structured grades,” he added.
He noted that cashew can be used for food, medicine, industrial purposes, agriculture, and cosmetics, among others; hence, the need for heavy investment in the sector in view of its enormous value to human existence.
The governor warned stakeholders who engage unregistered and illegal middlemen in the cashew business and other mining activities in the state to desist forthwith or be ready to face prosecution.
“Stakeholders should endeavour to follow due process by getting themselves registered, as any person found violating this government policy will face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.
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Earlier, the Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA), Victor Omofaiye, in his welcome address, outlined the benefits of cashew to include promoting local cashew processing industries for job creation; enhancing quality control and maintaining Kogi’s reputation as a top cashew-processing state; establishing a structured and traceable cashew marketing system; increasing state revenue through organised trade and export levies; and showcasing Kogi State cashew to the world.
Omofaiye also enumerated measures put in place to ensure cashew nuts’ quality control and regulation, warning that all buyers and exporters of cashew nuts within Kogi State must register with Agro Trading Consult Limited in order to qualify for participation in the 2026 cashew season.
“The use of the Kogi State customised jute bag is sacrosanct, as without it no cashew nut is permitted to leave the state.
“All licensed buying agents must grant access for grading and inspection of all cashew within the Agro Trading Consult Limited accredited warehouses for quality certification purposes,” he added.
He also stressed that fumigation of all ATCL-accredited warehouses for storing cashews was mandatory, while payment of all regulatory levies was sacrosanct and not negotiable.
Kogi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Muktar Shaibu, in his remarks, praised Governor Ododo’s policy on poverty reduction in the state through agriculture, particularly in cashew production.
According to the commissioner, “Kogi people will remain supportive of this laudable policy, which has brought relief and smiles on their faces.”
