The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), has set 10 per cent increase for cashew nuts production  in 2018.

The national publicity secretary of the association, Mr. Sotonye Anga who made the disclosure said the body is looking at bringing the total value of nuts to 185 tons, up from its 2017 level of 175 tons. 

Anga said the expectations were as a result of the fact that thousands of new cashew trees at their 17th week were already flowering in preparation to fruit.According to him, there is also a prospective early harvest in 2018 starting from January.

“It is a good thing to see reports from members across the cashew producing states that even new cashew plantations of 16 to 17 months are already flowering.This goes to show that there will be enormous economic gains for the nation in terms of revenue.

“This year, there was a record high sale of raw cashew nuts because a metric ton of the commodity was sold for N700, 000; that has never happened before”.

He said for the  2018 cashew season, there was hope for better performance, a development that was giving cashew farmers excitement.

The secretary urged cashew farmers to clear their farms in readiness for the 2018 harvest season, adding that farm clearing would also avert farm fires..“We want to urge farmers to start clearing their farms so that the fallen cashews would not get lost in the heap of sorts around the trees.

“Also, it will ease picking up of the cashews .Clearing of the farms would also avert farm fires that can be very costly,” Anga said.

He also advised the farmers to adhere strictly to the Good Agricultural Practises (GAP) mantra of the association as a way of meeting international standards.