Stakeholders from the government, private sector, international community and the civil society,are meeting in Ilorin next week to draw up a development plan for cashew. The worshop which aims to develop a holistic plan to revamp the industry will encourage business competitiveness and environmental sustainability in the industry.

Scheduled for August 17 and 18, the programme will be hosted by the African Cashew Alliance (ACA) in collaboration with the USAID Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport Project (NEXTT) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

The USAID West Africa Trade Hub Network Project (THN) is the sole sponsor for the event.

A statement from NEXTT said the aim of the workshop is to increase the competitiveness of cashew processing by actively involving processors in training sessions. The sessions will cover issues of business competitiveness and environmental sustainability which are crucial to the future of the industry. The training sessions will cover essential technical aspects for processing business competitiveness, such as cost-­ controlling, productivity and efficiency, market information systems, food safety regulations, and policy advocacy.

The participating processors will then have the chance to discuss local challenges and draw up action plans for the Nigerian cashew sector.

According to the statement, issued by Communications Specialist, Ayo Okulaja, the workshop will include the launch of a new environmental study for the cashew industry which was prepared by USAID's Trade Hub Network project.

Another highlight is the feature of a panel of cashew industry experts to consider the study and hear from the Nigerian Cashew Committee on the ongoing development of a national strategy, originally devised in October last year to increase local business competitiveness.

With processors as their main audience, the statement said industry experts will contribute to a dynamic workshop agenda aimed at strengthening the processing sector.

Business Advisory Manager at ACA, Sunil Dahiya, said: "By building local capacities and facilitating PPP dialogue for prompt cashew policy advocacy within the country, this workshop will do much to further the long-term sustainability and vitality of the cashew industry."