FACAN, ADP distributes 50,000 cashew seedlings to Edo farmers

The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Edo State, in collaboration with the State’s Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), has distributed 50,000 free cashew seedlings to farmers.

The national president of FACAN, Victor Iyama, speaking at the distribution of the free seedlings and seeds in Benin City, said the distribution of the free cashew seedlings and sesame seeds was to encourage more farmers in the state to embrace cashew and sesame production.

“As part of efforts to boost cashew and Sesame production in Edo state, the association also distributed free sesame seeds for the cultivation of 100 hectares to the farmers.

“The cultivation of the crops, especially the Sesame seed, was to harness its economic benefits as one of the highest revenue earnings in the international market.”

In his remarks, Ojo Ajanaku, national president of cashew association, who was represented by Ade Adesida, executive secretary of the association, said Nigeria is the 8th largest producer of cashew in Africa with about 5 percent of the continent’s production and 15th in the world.

Cashew is one of the most profitable long-term agricultural investments, noted that inadequate processing capacity has remained a stumbling block to the vibrancy of the industry in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Sheriff Balogun, national president of Sesame Association, said Nigeria is the 7th highest producer and exporter of Sesame seeds worldwide, added that the country earned about N93.7billion from the seed in 2020.

Balogun said the Sesame seed is cultivated in about 30 states in the country, adding that Jigawa, Benue, Taraba and Nasarrawa are the highest producing states.

In his welcome address, Prince Enahoro Ojiefoh, Edo state chairman of FACAN, stated that the association has designed a 4-year master plan to inject one million cashew trees in the state.

“The one million cashew seedlings was capable of generating N8 billion revenue annually to the state government after the selective harvest.”

He added that the Sesame seeds distributed to the farmers for the cultivation of 100 hectares if well harnessed would generate a minimum of 3 billion revenue to the state.

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Zainab/Businessday