Visual:©️ GIZ

Despite Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading cashew producers, the full potential of its industry remains untapped due to a persistent gap between scientific research and on the ground farming practices which limits productivity.

Africa is the leading global producer of cashew nuts, contributing around 60% of the world’s supply, with West Africa alone accounting for about 80% of this figure. Nigeria ranks among the top ten cashew producers worldwide, with a current production of around 300,000MT per year. Originally introduced for afforestation purposes, cashew has evolved into a significant cash crop in Nigeria over the past three decades. However, aging plantations, poorly managed farms, and inefficient farming practices have hindered the country’s production expansion. The country has the potential to triple its yield, improve livelihoods, and enhance the resilience of farming communities through the adoption of good agricultural practices and the use of better planting materials.

In addition to developing of responsive policies, better sector organisation, and the provision of funding for various activities within the cashew industry, the success of the sector largely depends on the progress of scientific research in producing countries.

The MOVE programme has promoted the adoption of climate-smart cashew farming practices, enhanced planting materials, and capacity-building programs through Matching Grant Fund (MGF) projects. These initiatives have helped farmer organizations and research institutions in the subregion to test drought-resistant cashew varieties and apply good agricultural practices. As a result, over 620,000 participating farmers have reported improved resilience against climate stressors, an 86% increase in yields and a more than 300% rise in real household incomes since the project’s inception.

Furthermore, a scientific webinar organised by the Consultative International Cashew Council has facilitated knowledge and technology sharing among research scientists across the continent. This platform has fostered peer learning and cross-border collaboration on various studies and projects.

However, despite the wealth of research findings, much of the knowledge remains confined to research institutions or is shared solely within academic circles. This has made it difficult for innovative solutions to translate into tangible results for farmers and other stakeholders.

Boosting Cashew Yields in Nigeria through bridging the Research-Action Divide

While research has been conducted by various research entities in Nigeria and the broader subregion, this knowledge has not been effectively shared with farmers, limiting its impact on sector growth. Many studies offer valuable insights into addressing production challenges, but without proper dissemination, this information fails to reach the farmers who could benefit from it. A clear example is the creation of early-maturing, high-yielding cashew varieties by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, which has since been shared with other countries in the subregion. It has been demonstrated that, these advanced cashew varieties greatly boost yields and reduce the typical 5–7 year period it takes for cashew trees to bear fruit commercially to about 3–4 years.

However, due to a lack of awareness, poor extension services, and limited access to high-quality planting materials, adoption among smallholder farmers is still low. To bridge the gap between research and farming practices, the Cashew Researchers & Extensionists Webinar Series was launched as a platform for direct knowledge transfer, ensuring that scientific advancements reach those who can apply them in the field.

The Cashew Researchers & Extensionsts Webinar Series

Introduced by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the platform aims to bridge the gap between researchers and farmers by facilitating the dissemination of scientific research findings to agricultural extension agents and lead farmers.

The initiative involves the organisation of quarterly, two-hour virtual webinars that provide an opportunity for researchers to share innovative solutions with agricultural extension agents and lead farmers. These farmers, who are directly responsible for implementing new practices, can then apply the knowledge to enhance productivity. Additionally, the platform allows agricultural extension agents to share field observations, feedback from the application of new technologies, and production-related challenges. This feedback is discussed with technical experts and researchers, enabling collaborative problem-solving.

Resource persons for the webinars are drawn from the Cocoa Research Institute, other Nigerian research institutions, and the network of cashew research scientists led by the Consultative International Cashew Council. By being held online, these webinars are cost-effective, convenient, and provide broader participation opportunities for all stakeholders.

The future of cashew farming in Africa hinges on the effective bridging of the research-action divide. While significant strides have been made in scientific research and innovation, the real challenge lies in ensuring that these advancements are communicated to and adopted by the farmers who stand to benefit the most. To sustain this momentum, policymakers, research institutions, and industry stakeholders must work together to ensure continuous knowledge exchange and adoption of best practices at the farm level.

Initiatives like Nigeria’s the Cashew Researchers & Extensionists Webinar Series provide valuable replicable models for how knowledge-sharing can drive transformation in the sector. By fostering greater collaboration between researchers, extension agents, and farmers, cashew yields can be boosted, improving the livelihoods of thousands across the continent. As the sector continues to evolve, the fusion of science, communication, and collaboration will be key to advancing cashew into a more resilient, productive, and prosperous future.

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Nunana Addo