Cashew Farming in Nigeria – How to Grow Cashew

Cashew farming is the cultivation and growing of cashew crop. Cashew is one of the most popular tree crops in Nigeria. Cashew farming is also known for its profitability.

Cashew farming is done in 27 states in Nigeria. 60 – 70% of cashew farmers in Nigeria are small holder farmers. About 30% of cashew farmers in Nigeria hold medium to large scale cashew farms.

Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia are some of the largest cashew producing states in Nigeria.

About 200,000 tons of cashew nuts are exported out of Nigeria yearly.

Cashew

Cashew is a perennial crop. Cashew trees have a lifespan of 30 – 50 years.

The origin of cashew can be traced to Brazil before it was introduced to Africa and Asia. Cashew is grown in the tropical regions of the world. It grows well in Africa, Asia and Southern America. Cashew is grown in countries like Nigeria, Argentina, Ghana and India etc.

Cashew is mainly grown for its nuts. Juice can also be extracted from cashew fruits. To extract juice from cashew fruits, the cashew fruits must be plucked and squeezed. Cashew fruits can also be consumed by people.

Cashew nuts are usually exported out of Nigeria where they are roasted and packed as snacks.

How to Cultivate Cashew in Nigeria

Below are the steps to take to grow cashew or start a cashew plantation in Nigeria:

1. Selection of Site for Farmland
2. Soil Preparation
3. Picking the Cashew Variety to Plant
4. Equipment
5. Irrigation
6. Climatic Conditions
7. Nursery Preparation and Management
8. Transplanting of Cashew Seedlings to Field
9. Weed Control
10. Fertilizer and Manure Management
11. Management of Pests and Diseases
12. Harvesting

1. Farmland to use for Cashew Plantation

You need to have a freehold ownership of a farmland for you to grow cashew. It is not advisable to use a farmland on a short lease. Cashew is a perennial crop so you need to have full ownership of the farmland.

The farmland should also have a fertile soil. There should be good road connectivity to the farmland for easy evacuation of your produce.

2. Climatic Conditions Suitable for Cashew Farming

Cashew grows in tropical conditions. Cashew will not grow in cold and temperate areas or regions.

Cashew general is cultivated in areas that are at least 650 metres above sea level. Cashew can grow well in areas with temperature of 20 Celsius to 39 Celsius, though 30 Celsius is the optimum temperature for the growing of cashew.

Cashew can tolerate areas with annual rainfall of 1000 – 2000 mm. Cashew also needs about 4 months of dryness (no rains) for it to have an optimum yield. This explains why cashew does well in Savannah areas than rain forest areas.

High rainfall and humidity can negatively impact the growth of cashew.

3. Soil Suitable for Cashew Cultivation

Cashew does well in sandy soil, sandy loamy soil and sandy laterite soil. Cashew can grow in any soil; however, poor soils should be amended with manure, compost, humus and fertilizers.

Cashew prefers areas with dry soil; it will not do well in water logged soils.

The soil pH should be 4.0 – 7.0. Cashew will not reach its optimum yield if grown in very acidic soil. Acidic soil should be amended with lime or dolomite. A good type of lime to use to amend acidic soil is limestone and agrilime.

4. Soil Preparation

For large cashew plantation, bulldozers can be used to remove trees, stumps and weeds. Care should be exercised so that the top soil will not be removed. Trees, stumps and weeds can also be removed by hand with the use of cutlasses, axes and hoes.

Ploughing should be done after the removal of the trees, stumps and weeds. After ploughing, harrowing should be done. Several rounds of ploughing and harrowing may be done depending on the condition of the soil. Ridging should be done for areas prone to flooding.

Soil that has poor fertility and low organic matter should be amended with manure and compost. Humus can also be added to the soil.

Phosphatic fertilizers like Single Super Phosphate fertilizer or Diammonium Phosphate Fertilizer should be applied to every pit meant for planting of the cashew seedlings. Depending on how fertile the soil is, up to 250 grams of Single Super Phosphate fertilizer may be applied per planting hole.

About 100 cashew seedlings can be planted on one hectare of farmland, if the planting pattern of 8 metres by 5 metres is used. If planting space of 7.5 metres by 7.5 metres is used, 175 cashew trees can be planted on one hectare. For high density cashew planting, up to 500 cashew trees can be planted on one hectare.

5. Cashew Varieties

Below are some of the varieties of cashew that can be planted in Nigeria, they are:

Nigerian Cashew Variety

This is an open pollinated cashew variety. It can yield 0.5 tons of cashew nuts per hectare. It is the oldest type of cashew variety planted in Nigeria. It is not pests and diseases resistant like the hybrid cashew varieties.

This variety starts fruiting after 4 – 5 years.

Brazilian Jumbo Cashew Variety

The Brazilian Jumbo cashew variety is a hybrid cashew variety. This cashew variety can yield up to 2 tons per hectare. This variety starts fruiting after 2.5 years.

Indian Dwarf Cashew Variety

The Indian cashew variety is an improved cashew variety. This cashew has a yield potential of 1.5 tons per hectare. This variety starts fruiting after 2.5 years.

6. Equipment

The following equipment can be used for cashew farming:

• Tractors
• Boom Sprayer
• Harrowers
• Plough
• Farm House
• Power Tiller
• Cutlasses
• Hoes
• Earth Augers
• Motorised Sprayers
• Weeders etc.

7. Irrigation

Irrigation can improve the yield of cashew by 100%. Besides, with irrigation, you can practice high density planting of cashew.

Irrigation involves the artificial application of water to crops. In the case of cashew, with irrigation, plant population can be increased and yield can also be increased.

The following types of irrigation can be used for cashew:

Drip Irrigation: Drip irrigation is a type of irrigation that wets the root zone of plants through the trickle dropping of water. It is the most effective and efficient type of irrigation for cashew farming.

Sprinkler: Sprinklers spray droplets of water to crops. Sprinklers can be used for cashew farming.

Furrow Irrigation: This is the passing of water between the ridges or beds on a farmland. Though, this is a type of irrigation, if not well done, it can lead to root rot in plants.

8. Cashew Seeds and Nursery Management

Cashew seeds are seeded in shade before hardening off and planted in the field or orchard. The cashew seeds should be placed in planting bags and kept under shade.

The place to be used for the cashew nursery should be shaded with a shade net. Cashew seedlings can also be grown under large trees with shade.

The growing bags often made of polythene should be filled with soil mixed with organic matter. The cashew seed should then be buried in the soil. Wetting should be done regularly so that the cashew seeds will sprout and grow.

Once the cashew seedlings are mature, they should be transplanted to the field. Young cashew seedlings on the field should be supported with stakes especially in an area that is very windy.

Rain hoses and sprinklers can be used to irrigate cashew seedlings.

9. Transplanting of Cashew Seedlings

100- 200 grams of Single Super Phosphate fertilizer should be applied to each planting hole before transplanting the cashew seedlings.

Transplantation of cashew seedlings should be done when the intensity of the sun is low.

Mychorizhae and other microbial innoculants should be added to every planting hole. This will increase the number of beneficial microbes in the soil. Nematicides may also be used if the soil is infected with harmful nematodes.

10. Grafting of Cashew Seedlings

Cashew seedlings can be grafted on trees. Side grafting and the wedge grafting are the main types of grafting that can be used in cashew farming.

The side grafting is the attaching of the cashew seedling to the side of the tree. Grafting should be done when the seedlings are 3 – 4 months old.

11. Weed Control

Herbicides can be used to kill weeds on cashew farms. Weeders and other mechanical tools can also be used for weed management in cashew farming.

Plastic mulches and other types of mulches can be used for the prevention of the growth of weeds.

Tools like cutlasses and hoes can also be used for weed management.

12. Training and Pruning of Cashew

In the first year of the cashew tree, the sprouts emanating from the root stock should be removed so that the cashew tree can concentrate its nutrients on the growth of the tree.

Pruning should be done frequently so that nutrients can be directed to the flowers and fruits. Excessive pruning can damage the cashew tree. The lower branches should be removed in the first three years so that the tree can grow to form a shade. After the 4^th year, pruning may not be needed again.

13. Fertilizer and Manure Application in Cashew Farming

Manure and compost should be added to the soil before the transplantation of the cashew seedlings.

The types of fertilizers that can be used for cashew farming includes:

• NPK Fertilizers
• Muriate of Potash (MOP)
• Single Super Phosphate Fertilizer (SSP)
• Calcium Nitrate
• Potassium Nitrate etc.

Fertilizer Recommendation for Cashew

14. Pests and Diseases of Cashew Crop

The following are the pests and diseases that can affect cashew trees:

• Cashew Swollen Shoot Disease
• Die Back Disease
• Cashew Canker Disease
• Mirids
• Mealy Bugs
• Aphids
• Caterpillars
• Termites
• Nematodes etc.

15. Harvesting

Cashew fruits are usually harvested after 3 – 5 years of planting. Some cashew varieties may take a longer time to fruit. Cashew fruits should be harvested when they turn yellow or red.

Sickles attached to wooden or iron poles are some of the tools that can be used for cashew harvesting. These fruits are packed in trailers and moved to the processing yard or plant.

The shaking of the branches of the tree can also result to the harvest of some cashew fruits. Cashew fruits can be used for juice production. The pulp of the fruits can also be used for animal feeds.

One cashew tree 3 – 12kg of nuts depending on the variety planted, age of the cashew tree and the agronomic practices implemented.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a One Hectare Cashew Farm in Nigeria

The cost to start a one hectare cashew farm is shown as follows:

• Acquisition of one hectare farmland: N90,000 – N350,000
• Surveying and Land Documentation: N90,000 – N190,000
• Clearing, Ploughing and Harrowing: N45,000
• Seedlings: N41,000
• Planting: N11,000
• Irrigation: N290,000 – N640,000 (Optional)
• Fertilizers and Manure: N20,000 – N100,000 (Depending on soil fertility)
• Pesticides: N22,000
• Others: N90,000

For a detailed cost analysis, please contact us through sales@veggiegrow.ng.

Advantages of Cashew Plantation

The following are the advantages of having a cashew farm:

• It can provide income for a lifetime.
• Cashew farming can be a source of employment for people.
• Cashew trees are friendly to the environment.
• Cashew produce can be used as food for human and animal.
• Biodiesel and other industrial byproducts can be gotten from cashew.
• The export of cashew products can improve the foreign exchange reserve of the nation.

Cashew Market in Nigeria

A large percentage of cashew produced in Nigeria are exported to Vietnam, India and other countries. Nigeria exported 184,000 tons of cashew nuts in the year 2020, according to Statista.

Nigeria remains one of the largest exporters of unprocessed cashew nuts in the world.

Questions and Answers on Cashew Farming

a) Question: Can I contact you about how to start cashew farming in Nigeria?

Answer: Yes, you can contact Veggie Grow on 08025141924

b) Question: Can drip irrigation be used for cashew farming?

Answer: Yes, drip irrigation can be used for cashew farming. It can also significantly increase the yield of cashew.

c) Question: How profitable is cashew farming?

Answer: Cashew farming is very profitable.

Should you wish to know more about cashew farming or you want to set up a cashew farm, please contact us on 08025141924 or send an email to sales@veggiegrow.ng.