The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Cashew Association of Nigeria

  • NCAN refute claims of alleged leadership crisis

    NCAN refute claims of alleged leadership crisis

    The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an interim leadership within the association, reaffirming that Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku remains its duly elected and recognised national president.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday, NCAN described the claims made at a recent press briefing by an unidentified group, stressing that the so-called interim executives do not represent the interests of the cashew industry.

    The association explained that its national election was conducted on 23 November 2024 at the FACAN Headquarters in Abuja, where Dr. Ajanaku emerged as president and was duly sworn in by the Board of Trustees. 

    It maintained that any insinuation of a leadership tussle was a ploy to misinform stakeholders and distract from ongoing efforts to strengthen the cashew subsector.

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    Responding to allegations that NCAN had delayed the implementation of the cashew industry road map, the association clarified that the document was produced by an international development partner and is currently undergoing review in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS). 

    According to NCAN, the review is necessary to ensure the framework aligns with Nigeria’s national priorities.

    “The association remains united and focused on advancing the nation’s cashew industry. We assure Nigerians and international partners that NCAN, under the leadership of Dr. Ajanaku, is open for business and committed to driving growth in the sector,” the statement read.

    NCAN therefore urged stakeholders to disregard the claims of what it described as self-styled interim executives, while reiterating its commitment to working with government and private sector players to boost cashew production, processing, and export in Nigeria.

  • ‘How to achieve cashew industrialisation’

    ‘How to achieve cashew industrialisation’

    The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), the statutory apex body for the country’s cashew value chain, has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s cashew industrialisation can only be achieved through incentives and supportive policies rather than punitive export bans.

    In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, NCAN outlined a farmer-first industrialisation framework which is to incentivise processors, not penalise farmers: FX rebates, VAT/duty relief on equipment, and energy support.

    Others are creation of a Special Agro-Processing Loan Window (SAP-LW) at less than 5%, tied to verified processing contracts via NCAN’s Farm Mapper.

    “Minimum offtake schemes to guarantee farmer markets while supplying processors.

    Use of NCAN’s Farm Mapper to ensure accountability, curb smuggling, and regulate trade and maintaining farmers’ legal access to global buyers while domestic capacity expands.

    The association recalled the negative impact of past commodity restrictions, particularly the shea-nut export ban which was followed by pleas for a 90-day grace period, describing it as evidence that blanket bans create “chaos and instability, not solutions.”

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    It however warned that any sudden restrictions on raw cashew nut exports would crash farm-gate prices, impoverish millions of smallholder farmers, and fuel smuggling ultimately weakening government revenue and tarnishing Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable trading partner.

    “Export bans only reward smugglers and punish farmers. Incentives, traceability, and finance will attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global cashew economy.

    NCAN further urged the government to adopt a balanced approach that protects farmers while encouraging industrial growth.