Empowering Nigeria’s Cashew Sector: GIZ/MOVE and Partners Lead Transformative Training in Oyo State

In a bid to strengthen the cashew value chain in Nigeria, GIZ/MOVE, in partnership with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), the Tree Crop Development Unit (TCDU) Oyo State, and the Agricultural Development Project (ADP), successfully completed a four-day technical training focused on cashew production. Held in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria, from September 2nd to 5th, 2024, this training program aimed to build the capacity of key stakeholders to improve productivity and competitiveness in the cashew industry.

The training, which took place in Ogbomosho Oyo state, Nigeria from the 2nd to 5th September 2024, brought together 35 participants from various sectors, including public institutions, lead farmers, research organizations, farmer-face organizations, producers and nursery managers. With a strong focus on gender inclusivity, 46% of the participants were female, and the content was tailored to promote youth and women's engagement in the cashew industry.                                        

Key topics covered included modern cashew production techniques, pests and disease identification and management, improve planting materials development, topworking, rehabilitation and new plantation establishment, agroforestry, GTA in agriculture sector and harvest and post-harvesting, value addition etc. Practical sessions and participant-led presentations facilitated hands-on learning, ensuring that attendees left equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their operations.

One of the standout outcomes of the training was the commitment to establishing a cashew demonstration plot, which will serve as a learning and research hub for future initiatives. The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) played pivotal roles in delivering the training content and providing expert guidance throughout the program.

This collaborative effort between GIZ-MOVE, CRIN, and TCDU highlights the importance of partnerships in driving innovation and capacity building in Nigeria's cashew sector. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this training on cashew production and its ripple effect across the broader agricultural landscape.

The GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew project  is co-founded by the European Union under the Samoa Agreement with the  Organisation of the African ,Caribbean  and Pacific States (OACPS) and  the Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)