Enhancing Cashew Productions with Specialized Technical Training Programs
From October 7th to 10th, 2024, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria became a hub of agricultural innovation and learning during the 2nd Cashew Technical Training on Production. This transformative four-day program, organized by GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew in collaboration with the Osun State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), aimed to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to revolutionize cashew production.
The event commenced with an inspiring opening ceremony, attended by distinguished guests including the Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture, Osun State, the Chairman of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Osun State chapter, and the Executive Director of CRIN. Their presence underscored the significance of the training and the shared commitment to boosting the cashew sector.
A notable achievement of the event was the participation of women, who made up 41% of the 43 attendees. This strong representation highlights ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusivity in agricultural development, ensuring that women play a pivotal role in advancing cashew farming.
One of the program's key highlights was the creation of a cashew demonstration plot. This practical platform allows trainees to apply the skills they learned, providing a hands-on experience that is crucial for mastering advanced cashew production techniques. Participants delved into a wide array of topics critical for successful cashew farming, including Nursery Management which tackled techniques for nurturing healthy cashew seedlings, field establishment introducing best practices for planting and maintaining cashew trees, pest and disease control showing strategies to protect cashew crops from common threats, post-harvest handling which ensured the use methods to ensure the quality and longevity of harvested cashews. Among other topics were topworking revealing advanced grafting techniques to improve tree productivity, and Gender Transformation Approach (GTA) in Agriculture consisting of integrating gender-sensitive practices to enhance agricultural outcomes.
This initiative marks a significant step towards fostering sustainable cashew farming practices in Osun State. By introducing modern techniques, the program aims to boost cashew yield, quality, and overall profitability, thereby empowering smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods.
The successful collaboration between GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew, the Osun State Ministry of Agriculture, and CRIN has laid a strong foundation for further development in the cashew sector. This partnership exemplifies the power of collective action in driving agricultural innovation and sustainability.
The 2nd Cashew Technical Training on Production not only provided valuable knowledge and skills but also inspired a renewed commitment to advancing cashew farming in Osun State. With continued support and collaboration, the future of cashew production in the region looks promising.
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 by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.
This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of GIZ/MOVE-ComCashew and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
The Joint Action is jointly co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa agreement with the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States(OACPS) and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.