<p></p><p>The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) on Wednesday said that the sudden re-appearance of the harmattan had delayed the January flowering of cashew trees. <br></p> <p>Mr Sotonye Anga, National Publicity of NCAN, told our correspondent in Lagos that these trends in climate change was simply impacting on crop production patterns. <br></p> <p>Anga said that this change was impacting on the production of cashew, resulting in the slight shift in cashew harvest. <br></p> <p>“The 2016 cashew season will fully start by the third week of February; usually, cashew starts flowering and fruiting in January, followed by harvesting starting from the last week in January. <br></p> <p>“However, there have been slight changes in the pattern following the sudden appearance of harmattan, affecting the flowering of cashew trees. <br></p> <p>“This is simply climate change, impacting on crop production pattern, which has resulted in a slight shift in harvest. <br></p> <p>“This means that February is going to be a very busy, productive and fruitful month for cashew farmers in the country,’’ Anga said. <br></p> <p>He, however, advised cashew farmers in the country to be calm. <br></p> <p>According to him, reports to the association from farmers nationwide, showed that some cashew trees were already flowering, while some were fruiting in readiness for harvest. <br></p> <p>Anga said that the association was expecting positive outcome from farmers following the change in weather and its effect on cashew trees. (NAN)<br></p><p></p>