The federal government through the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adebayo, has expressed concern that the debate on global food crisis and it effect on nations especially on the African continents is most unacceptable.
Adebayo who noted this at the just concluded closing ceremony of the 16th edition of African Cashew Alliance conference/ Gala night in Abuja, said “the Cashew sub-sector offers us a very viable openings to pursue the Nigerian diversification agenda for wealth creation, employment generation and poverty eradication.”
He said the activities of the ACA, National Cashew Association (NCA) are relevant now more than ever in repositioning the continent to take the lead position in the production and processing of Agricultural commodities for food security and national development .
He called for the need in redoubling of efforts on the implementation of strategies and decisions reached at the conference and to ensure a robust development of the African Commodity Centre .
In his words “It is my believe that the ACA and NCA can move the continent away from it current disadvantage positions in terms of benefit derivable from trading in the commodity .
“There is need to also redouble efforts in delivering the highest level of processing before exporting,” he said .
On their part, he assured that they have been engaged in frank discussions on Cashew value chain with particular emphasis on enhancing the benefits derivable from the commodity through getting more involved in processing .
He further said that have been able to review processes made by ACA and NCA in the implementation of strategies adopted and decisions breached in previous conferences to fast-track the development of Cashew sub-sector on the African continents .
According to him, the implementation of some of these strategies have been very commendable, others are still ongoing while the few ones have been brought on board .
