Olam Food Ingredients (Ofi), the biggest cashew company in Kwara, on Thursday pledged to continually improve the wellbeing of cashew farmers and partnering communities for better yields.

Mr Rajeesh Neelanjeri, the General Manager of Ofi, who spoke at the Annual Cashew Farmers Meeting organised by the company in Ilorin, said that farmers are backbone of any agriculture sector.

The meeting, which had in attendance 15 cashew farmers’ groups drawn from across communities in Kwara and Oyo States, also involved sensitisation on improved cashew production and harvesting practices.

Neelanjeri added that the organisation always put best of its efforts to provide support to farmers.

He stated that efforts of the company included training of farmers on Good Agriculture Practices (GAP), providing pre-season finance, distribution of farming equipment, as well as social and community programmes.

He also said that sustainability philosophy of the organisation revolves around five main pillars, including prosperous farmers, thriving communities, sustainable choices, climate positive and regenerating the living world.

“We want to partner our stakeholders with a sense of responsibility towards the society and the external environment and leave a sustainably positive impact through our activities,” he said.

Malam Kabiru Mohammed, the Director of Agriculture, Kwara Ministry of Agriculture, spoke on “Improvement in Cashew Farming System in Nigeria”.

Mohammed, who was represented by Mr Amole Nathaniel, the Director of the Nigeria Produce and Inspection Service, Kwara Ministry of Agriculture, said improved cashew production can only be achieved through implementation of modern cashew cultivation practices.

“Cashew is a commodity crop of international recognition and it is important in foreign exchange earnings. It has turned out to be a oil well given to us by divinity. But this can only be achieved through implementation of modern cashew cultivation.

“Thus, there’s need to move from subsistence to mechanised farming system most especially where there is vast land usage,” he said.

He commended the company for participatory efforts in Rural Agrarian Infrastructural Development programmes, noting that the efforts had encouraged betterments of the people and cashew industry at large.

“I also believe that the annual cashew farmers meeting has in all facet to enhance our cashew farmer production at all levels and their wellbeing,” he said.

Sidelines of the programme included presentation of awards to outstanding cashew farmers in the two benefitting states of Kwara and Oyo.