<p></p><p>The National Cashew Association of Nigeria says there are revenue generating prospects in disease-resistant hybrid Indian and Brazilian jumbo cashew nuts.The National President, NCAN, Mr. Tola Faseru, who disclosed this to our correspondent, said the choice of the early maturing, high yielding plant materials by the Federal Government had shown that Nigeria’s cashew sector was evolving and gradually positioning itself to be number one among international and local stakeholders.The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, had earlier flagged off the new cashew planting season in Osun State and hinted about plans to distribute about three million hybrid cashew nuts to farmers.Expressing hope in the hybrid seedling, Faseru said, “We are positive that by the time these trees start fruiting, we will begin to reap the benefits of the hybrid seedlings. These dividends will come in form of higher quality of our nuts, increased yield per hectare of almost 100 per cent, better pricing of our cashew internationally, increased production and increased nuts available for processing. <br></p> <p>“We wish to appreciate the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the prompt implementation of the first phase of the four-year cashew development road map, which is to scale up production of cashew nuts in the country.”He added, “We the cashew stakeholders in Nigeria are ready to continue to work hand in hand with the government to promote our industry and we look forward to being the highest producers of raw cashew nuts in the world by year 2024. We are very optimistic that we will achieve this feat with the kind of energy, drive and focus with which the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development is facing the cashew sub-sector.“We will want this flagging off of the planting season to continue yearly in at least four of the country’s geographical zones as this will sensitise and rekindle zeal for cashew cultivation.<br></p><p></p>