Kogi State has announced plans to achieve 150,000 metric tonnes of cashew production by 2027, as part of Governor Usman Ododo’s agricultural transformation agenda through Kogi State Commodity Exchange Export Promotion and Marketing Development Agency (KOCEPA).
Speaking in Abuja, Chief Consultant of KOCEPA, Dr. Jude Osilama, said the initiative would revolutionise cashew production and improve livelihoods of farmers.
Osilama noted that 15 million hybrid cashew trees would be planted in the next three years to replace aged ones, targeting five million farmers. He said the state’s cashew, which is globally recognised for its high quality of up to 52 KRO, is one of the most sought-after varieties internationally.
“For the first time, cashew will be sun-dried in Kogi according to international standards. The days of transporting cashew to Ogbomoso for sun-drying will end,” he said.
He explained that the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) Golden Cashew Rendezvous 2025 in Hanoi recognised Kogi’s cashew as a global brand, adding that the governor’s vision is to sustain Kogi’s position as Nigeria’s leading cashew-producing state, yielding over 120,000 metric tonnes annually.
Osilama noted KOCEPA, established through legislation signed by Ododo, is mandated to empower farmers with financial assistance, training, and market access, while boosting job creation and internally generated revenue.
“The government of Usman Ododo has stepped in to revolutionise the cashew industry. KOCEPA has been empowered with forward-looking policies to promote production, facilitate exports, and market Kogi’s agricultural commodities internationally,” he said.
He also revealed that discussions are ongoing with Vietnamese investors and machinery manufacturers, including Vietnam Machine Company, to set up cashew processing plants in Kogi by early next year.
“They have confirmed readiness to install processing plants that will export finished cashew products directly to the US, Germany, Japan, the UAE, and other global markets,” Osilama said.
According to him, Governor Ododo’s goal is to make farmers wealthier by connecting them to global buyers through KOCEPA’s off-take partnerships with the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) and international markets.
“By the end of 2026, our farmers will be smiling to the banks as they begin to enjoy the gains from these new strategic initiatives,” he added.
Meanwhile, NCAN President, Dr. Ojo Ajanaku, commended Governor Ododo for establishing KOCEPA, describing it as a bold step that will “change the narrative of agriculture in Kogi State.”
“This is one of the best initiatives for Kogi’s cashew industry. It guarantees productivity, reduces premature harvesting, and protects farmers’ income,” Ajanaku said.
He called on other governors to replicate KOCEPA’s model to boost agricultural productivity, create jobs, and grow non-oil exports.
Ajanaku added that the MoU recently signed between Nigeria and VINACAS will strengthen Kogi’s cashew processing capacity, with KOCEPA playing a key role in implementing the partnership.
“As long as KOCEPA works with NCAN, we are confident that challenges in the cashew industry will be effectively addressed,” he concluded.
