LAGOS – The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) on Friday sought the Federal Government’s support in repackaging of cashew in jute bags.
Mr Sotonye Anga, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, made the request in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the jute bags would enhance the packaging and quality of the commodity.
According to him, jute bag is the best packaging material for cashew nuts, but “very expensive’’.
Anga said that farmers had been using polypropylene bag, which is affecting the quality of the nuts because it (poly bag) does not allow air penetration.
“We need the federal government’s support in subsidising the procurement of the jute bags.
“This is because the jute bag is very expensive.
“Jute bag is the right packaging material for cashew nuts.
“In the past cashew farmers were using polypropylene bags to pack their cashew.
“This gives rise to poor quality because when you pack it in polypropylene bag the quality diminishes.
“This year, the produce recorded a boost because it was sold off completely and we want to sustain the tempo in the coming years,’’ Anga said.
According to him, cashew market is worth N35 billion and that more than 300,000 families depend on it for their livelihood.
“We are saying government should please support cashew farmers.
“We need subsidised jute bags, so that after producing quality cashew, we will not pack it wrongly again.
“If we dry the nuts properly and pack them in jute bags, it will qualify to be exported,’’ he said.
The spokesperson said that cashew farmers were expecting a good season from February, 2015.
He said that since the nation’s earnings on crude oil were dwindling, government should diversify the economy by encouraging non-oil sectors like agriculture.
“We now have to apply more financial prudence, strengthening our farmers by funding the agricultural sector,’’ he said.
Anga commended the government’s initiative on the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), which he said, has assisted farmers to access inputs easily. (NAN)
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