By Rofiat Abdullahi
Kogi State has unveiled plans to scale its annual cashew production to 150,000 metric tonnes by 2027 under Governor Usman Ododo’s agricultural transformation agenda, driven through the Kogi State Commodity Exchange Export Promotion and Marketing Development Agency (KOCEPA).
Speaking in Abuja, KOCEPA’s Chief Consultant, Dr. Jude Osilama, said the initiative aims to revolutionise cashew production and boost the livelihoods of farmers across the state.
Osilama disclosed that 15 million hybrid cashew trees will be planted over the next three years to replace ageing trees, targeting five million farmers.
He noted that Kogi’s cashew—renowned globally for its high 52 KOR quality rating—remains one of the most sought-after varieties on the international market.
He added that at the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) Golden Cashew Rendezvous 2025 in Hanoi, Kogi’s cashew was recognised as a global brand, reinforcing Ododo’s plan to sustain the state’s position as Nigeria’s leading cashew producer, currently yielding over 120,000 metric tonnes annually.
