Assessment of Cashew Nut Value Chain in Kogi State, Nigeria

Cashew nut value chain in Kogi State was examined in this study. Sample size of 200 respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that 82.1% of the farmers, 80.0% of the marketers and 56.7% of the processors were males. The average age was 50 years, 53 years, and 47 years among farmers, marketers, and processors, respectively. The results further showed that 42.1% of the sell directly to the agent/wholesalers on the farm site; 66.7% of the marketers sourced for cashew nuts from the farmers or processors as kernels and sold to consumers who may also be processors in the value chain; while 63.3% of the soured for inputs from marketers. Production (85.7%) and marketing (58.6%) were the major entrepreneurial opportunities among the farmers; the marketers rated input sources (86.7%), marketing (80%) and end buyers as major opportunities; while processors’ major entrepreneurial activity was processing (76.7%). Based on the findings in this study, it can be concluded that farmers, marketers and processors will perform well given adequate production, marketing and processing inputs respectively. It is recommended that more farmers, processors, and marketers, should be encouraged to engage in cashew nut value addition activities at all levels in the chain value. This can be achieved through intensified awareness among relevant actors within the value chain.