How to maximise yield in cashew farming – Liadi

A successful farmer and educationist, Dr. Adewale Liadi, a farmer and educationist, is the Farm Manager of Paul Taiwo Farms, based in Abeokuta. He spoke to our Managing Editor, Mr. Olakunle Ariyibi on cashew farming. Liadi stated that the crop is drought-tolerant, requires low maintenance, generates double income and is in high demand. He advises farmers on how to get the best seeds for planting, needed environment for rapid growth, mechanisation, mininise pest infestation, and disease attacks, determine soil type, prevent stealing, reduce labour cost, post-harvest losses, enhance security, embrace technology, adopt Good Agricultural Practices, and other safe environmental activities, as far as cashew farming is concerned. Excerpts:

Can we meet you?

I am Dr. Adewale Liadi, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele, Abeokuta, and the Farm Manager of Paul Taiwo Farms, Asu Village, Obafemi Owode Local Government, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

What crops are currently on your farm?

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), one of Nigeria’s top export crops, does really well here in Ogun State. The nut and cashew apple are parts used and have a life span of about 20 to 30 years, and start fruiting within two to three years with harvest time between February and May. The crop is drought-tolerant, has low maintenance, double income and in high demand.

What is the planting calendar for the next 12 months?

Cashew crops require low-maintenance, but if you want high yield and quality nuts, you have to stay consistent.

How do you select good crop varieties?

We source from accredited government agricultural agencies. Most farmers get it wrong at this stage and end up with poor-yielding trees. Farmers can start looking for seedlings from November to February and plant at the beginning of rains. Don’t collect wild seedlings from under old trees, as their yield are unpredictable and takes five years plus before it start fruiting.

Determine planting density and spacing?

Standard cashew planting density ranges from 7.5m × 7.5m (175 plants per hectare), to 8m × 8m (156 plants per hectare) for conventional orchards. Standard long-term orchards with good air circulation and minimal crowding, as trees mature.

What are your target yields per hectare, and how do current yields compare with this?

Target 1.0 – 2.0 tons (1,000 – 2,000kilogram) metric tons of raw cashew nuts, per hectare.

How do you manage crop rotation and soil fertility to prevent depletion?

We have been planting vegetables for years and now, cashew trees. Managing crop rotation and soil fertility involve alternating different plant families and adding organic matter to keep the ground rich and productive. Avoid planting crops from the same family in the same spot, year after year, to stop pests and diseases from building up.

What system do you use to monitor pests, diseases and weeds?

Mostly, by regular systemic inspection. Also, is regular visual field scouting combined with simple physical trapping while farm record-keeping forms the primary system used to monitor pests, diseases, and weeds on our cashew farm.

How do you test and maintain soil health? And how often?

We take soil samples to the laboratory for analysis and the results determine what next to do. Also, test soil health through simple field observations and maintain it using regenerative farming and gardening practices.

What is your irrigation plan – dry season vs. rainy season?

We have irrigation equipment and good borehole in place. A good farming irrigation plan uses active watering systems during the dry season and rainwater management with drainage during the rainy season.

How do you source, store, and apply inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, herbicides, and organic matter?

We source from accredited vendors. To successfully manage a cashew orchard, your input strategy should prioritise high-quality planting material, minimal, but strategically-timed chemical use, and heavy organic soil building.

How do you track input usage and prevent wastage and stealing?

We only release the needed agro chemicals per application time. Tracking input usage and preventing wastage or stealing requires a combination of strict inventory control, digital tracking tools, and strong workplace accountability.

What sustainable practices do you use to reduce input costs?

By improvisation and economically-friendly approach, cashew farmers reduce input costs by adopting regenerative and organic practices that replace expensive synthetic fertilisers, chemicals and pesticides with other natural on-farm resources.

How many workers do you have, and how do you assign daily tasks?

We have five workers and they all work together on rotational basis. Operations adjust workers numbers up or down, depending on seasonal demand and active projects at hand.

How do you train your staff on safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and equipment use?

We send them to seminars and workshops on farming for them to be more productive while practicing good agriculture. We also train farm staff by combining practical, hands-on demonstrations, clear instructions in local languages, and regular safety refreshers.

How do you handle labour productivity, absenteeism, and performance issues?

We warn them (staff) whenever they misbehave and issue warning three times, after which we terminate the appointment or suspend the affected worker, where necessary. And we handle them through exposure to clear workplace policies, open communication, and supportive performance coaching.

What is your maintenance schedule for tools, and irrigation equipment?

For the machines, regular servicing and other tools are washed and cleaned after each farm use to prevent damage and ensure long life.

What safety and environmental practices are in place on the farm?

Before any farm activities, we address our farmers about safety and how to prevent breaches. Also, we ensure that each famer is well protected using their boots, eye glasses for eye protection and overall farm wears. Their is also a first aid box in case of any minor or major wound before such farmer is taken to the hospital.

What farm records do you keep daily or weekly, on yield, expenses, labour and weather?

We keep all records of farming activities on a daily basis. Farmers keep daily and weekly records across all four categories; yield, expenses, labour, and weather because each factor tracks different part of the business.

How do you prepare and track the farm budget with actual spending?

We make reference to the document and it gives us the projection towards what we need to spend. We track actual spending by recording every financial transaction and comparing it to our plan, monthly.

How do you measure profitability per crop and per hectare?

Total Cost/harvest = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs. We measure profitability per crop and per hectare by subtracting total production costs from total gross revenue, and then dividing that net profit by the total number of hectares farmed.

What is your plan for timely harvesting to reduce losses?

We focus on regular monitoring, timely collection, proper handling, and quick transportation of harvested cashew nuts. A timely harvesting plan reduces crop loss by tracking maturity stages, organising labour early, and preparing storage before picking begins.

How do you handle post-harvest handling, storage, and drying?

We transport the crops immediately for storage, as effective post-harvest handling, storage, and drying cprotect crops from waste, mold, and bugs.

Where do you currently sell, and how do you negotiate prices and buyers?

People come to us and we negotiate and finalise prices. We are known for the quality of what we produce, and very reliable.

How do you plan to add value or reduce post-harvest losses in the next season?

We get familiarised with the crop market prizes. We conduct market survey before agreeing on a price and maintain proper storage of goods to reduce post-harvest losses.

What are the three biggest challenges facing the farm right now?

Stealing and lack of government subsidies often affect production costs and laziness of farmers sometimes. General economic inflation makes it hard for farmers to afford basic production needs.

How would you respond to climate shocks: drought, flooding, or pest outbreak?

Irrigation facilities should address the issues of drought and drainage is important while fumigation by recommended pesticides will control the pest. Responding to climate shocks entails a mix of early warning systems, resilient agricultural practices, and rapid emergency relief and grow crops that need very little water.

What new technology or practice would you introduce in the next six months to boost yield and profit?

We are planning to introduce drones to apply fertilizers and fumigation procedures so as to cover adequate portion of the farmland and eventually leading to more yield and profit. The most impactful technology to introduce is Artificial Intelligence-driven precision nitrogen management, combined with drone-based multispectral imaging.

How do you stay updated on Good Agricultural Practices on new crop varieties?

This can be achieved by attending conferences and seminars related to agricultural development and practice.