FACAN Disburses Cashew Seedlings, Trains Farmers in Edo

The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Edo State Chapter, has distributed 150,000 free cashew seedlings to farmers in Edo State.

Over 3000 hectares worth of sesame seeds were also distributed to farmers across the three Senatorial District of the State.

In addition, FACAN in partnership with Peniel Gerar Intl. Ltd trained 3000 farmers on sesame seeds, soybeans and groundnut commercial farming.

According to FACAN, The initiative is aimed at bringing farmers up to speed with modern agricultural practices to boost their productivity and also provide a platform for them to take their place in the Agro Commodity Export business in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region.

This was disclosed by the Edo State Chairman of FACAN, Prince Enahoro Ojiefoh, during the Edo Agro Commodity Conference organised by the association, which was held across the three Senatorial District of the state.

Ojiefoh noted that the master plan of the association was to inject one million cashew trees in multiples of hundreds yearly.

“That is, on the first year they invest 100,000 economic seedlings and add another 200,000, the third year, 300,000 so that by the fourth year, the farmers would have planted 1 million cashew trees.

“For the sesame, we are targeting 2000 tons of Sesame seeds yearly into the Edo State economy which will translate to about a minimum of 8 billion naira in value by the fifth year,” he added.

The association, he added, is also working with the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) and Ambrose Ali University, especially the faculty and students of Agriculture to nurture this vision by gradually exposing students to the realities of their passion and chosen career path.

Ojiefoh further disclosed that FACAN had signed an agreement with Peniel Gerar Intl. Ltd and fourteen other oilseed processors and exporters as 100 percent off-takers for the Edo sesame seeds, soybean and groundnut farmers.

Peniel Gerar Intl. Ltd will set up four warehouses for sesame seeds, cocoa beans and cashew nut exports in an early state, he disclosed.