<p></p><p>The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) on Friday said that it was optimistic about 2016 cashew season, as farmers were adhering strictly to the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) protocol. <br></p> <p>Mr Sotonye Anga, the spokesman of the association, revealed that the Cashew Improvement Task Force was going round cashew farms in the country to ensure quality. Anga said that with the GAP protocol, no cashew would leave the farm gate without proper drying, before packaged in jute bags and shipped out to the market. <br></p> <p>“This year, we are ensuring that no cashew leaves the farm gate without proper drying, before they are shipped out of the farm gate; that way, we are able to control quality effectively. “We have the Cashew Improvement Task Force working across the country, to ensure that farmers adhere to GAP. <br></p> <p>“With all these on ground, we expect to see a very good cashew season for 2016,’’ Anga said.</p> <p>The official said that the association had just finished a nationwide survey of cashew trees across the country. <br></p> <p>According to Anga, cashew farmers are keeping their farms clean, in readiness for the season to begin in February, to record maximum yields. “I am particularly excited because we have seen cashew grow in importance, and cashew farmers are beginning to see themselves as important to the Nigerian economy. <br></p> <p>“With these efforts in place, we want to see cashew farmers in 2016 making reasonable money, for the efforts they have put to ensure quality,’’ he said. Anga said that both international and local buyers of cashew that were going to have a good deal, buying Nigerian cashew this season. <br></p> <p>He lauded Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, for his commitment to the cashew crop. “The minister is looking at how we can get more from our cashew in terms of increasing production getting more people engaged, reducing unemployment, poverty and increasing earnings on foreign revenue,’’ he said.<br></p><p></p>