By Gobina Joseph
Kogi state government on Friday launched the State Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025.as it flagged -off the 2026 cashew production season .
The Kogi state governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo performed the official ceremony at glass house Lokoja in an occasion that attracted stakeholders of the cashew value chain.
He said the unlicensed cashew dealers ,in collaboration with the middlemen in the value chain had made away with N86.4b in the 2025 trading session due to the absence of enabling law to facilitate transactions legally.
He said in view of the observed orchestrated shady deals, his administration has rolled out measures to regulate the trading, and to minimize sharp practices.
“The Kogi State Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025, has been developed pursuant to Section 35 of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Law, 2024.
“It provides a clear, transparent, and enforceable framework for orderly trading, fair pricing, quality assurance, traceability, and accountability across the entire cashew value chain.
“This policy is designed to protect our farmers, attract credible investors, eliminate exploitation, and ensure that the benefits of this sector are equitably distributed.
“The Kogi State Government will no longer tolerate the activities of unlicensed buyers, illegal middlemen, and foreign agents who bypass due process and purchase raw cashew nuts directly from farm gates.
“Such practices undermine our farmers, distort pricing, and weaken our economy. Any individual or group found violating this policy will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Compliance is not optional. Enforcement will be firm, consistent, and impartial”, said governor Ododo.
The governor enjoined “stakeholders, farmers, traders, processors, technical partners, investors, and regulators, to work collaboratively with the Kogi State Government through the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency and its partners” .
In addition to the regulating policy, the state government distributed over 5m hybrid cashew seedlings to the cashew farmers to boost cashew productions.
He said :””Farmers will receive structured guidance on planting techniques, orchard management, pest control, harvesting methods, and post-harvest handling.
“This approach will not only improve yields but will also extend the productive lifespan of plantations, guaranteeing long-term returns on today’s investment”.
Earlier, the Director General , KOSCEPA, Adewale Victor Omofaiye says the State accounted for an estimated 40 percent of national output in cashew production.
“For the 2024 to 2025 production period, Kogi State’s estimated annual output stands at approximately 350,000 metric tonnes.
“Our cashews are well regarded in international markets. They meet high quality standards, with Kernel Output Ratios of 49 to 50 and moisture content around 8 percent.
The state chairman of cashew nut production association, Mohammed Chapi commended the state government for the new policy that is expected to bring orderly into the transaction as from this season.
He appealed to the state government to assist his members in their bid to have access to credit facilities, as the 2026 trading season begins .
