The National Cashew Association of Nigeria has concluded arrangement to introduce alternative diesel from the cashew apple, as a step toward developing cashew value chains.
NCAN’s Public Relations Officer, Sotonye Anga, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
He explained that over 150,000 metric tonnes of cashew apple was being wasted annually.
The spokesman said the association was presently conducting a research to come up with solutions that could be replicated in small scale.
Anga said that over 300,000 litres of diesel would be received from the wastage annually, which could be used to enhance the growth of the country’s economy.
Anga said: “What we usually consider economically, in the cashew value chain, is the raw cashew nuts, while the cashew apple, which has a vast range of usefulness, is left to rot.
“Now, what the association considered was to make the apple economical; and we went into massive research. And from our findings, the diesel from the cashew apple is very good.
“This is a whole new economy that should be taken seriously, because we hope to roll out the commodity in the market, in the next four years.
“With this initiative, over 200,000 youths will be engaged across the country.’’
Anga stated that in 2017, there would be a test-run of the diesel, in line with accomplishing the green alternative programme, initiated by the Federal Government.
He said that the cashew apple diesel would be sold at N100 or less per litre, while the association was simplifying the dynamics, to attract private sector investor.
He said: “We are championing this initiative for the production and utilisation of the cashew fuel in Nigeria.
“We expect that this cashew fuel initiative will reduce our import bill for diesel.”
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