Cashew dealers in Kogi State have urged the government to intervene and prevent foreign buyers from disrupting the cashew value chain. They warn that this practice is deepening poverty and threatening local livelihoods.
In a statement, the Board of Trustees Chairman of the Kogi Cashew Dealers Stakeholders Association, Baba Mohammed, accused foreign buyers, particularly Indians, of bypassing local merchants to purchase directly from farmers.
Mohammed stated that this practice is disrupting the cashew trade, lowering farmers’ earnings, and contributing to rising insecurity in the state.
“The appeal we want to make is clear. We are asking the state government to intervene and stop foreigners from distorting, corrupting, and interfering with the cashew value chain,” he stated
The KCDSA chairman emphasized that foreign buyers should adhere to the proper value chain rather than bypassing local merchants.
“The reason this is important is that these foreigners’ actions will reduce local farmers to extreme poverty. Their goal seems to be simply to come here and export a product that’s already ready for export,” he noted.
Mohammed noted that the issue has persisted for over 30 years and was a key topic at a recent industry meeting in Lagos. He warned that unchecked foreign influence could lead to “a new form of colonization.”
The Vice Chairman of the Kogi Cashew Dealers Association, Idris Yakub, echoed these concerns, stating that foreigners are taking over the roles of local buyers, driving down prices, and shortchanging farmers.
“Our farmers, who are not exposed to these market dynamics, are often misled. Many of them have never seen foreigners before, and when they do, they think they’ll get better prices. Unfortunately, they are being exploited,” Yakub stated.
He noted that a federal policy prohibits foreigners from buying directly from farmers, adding “This policy was put in place under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, and it should be enforced.”
Yakub warned that the unchecked activities of foreign buyers are not only hurting farmers but also fueling insecurity in the state.
