Mapping and Assessment of Cashew Plantation in Nassarawa State, Nigeria Using Geo Spatial Technology

Abstract

The world demand for cashew and its by-products leads to increase expansion of the cultivation across West-African countries especially in Nigeria. It has generated wealth for many smallholders and contributed to cashew economy success. This study aimed at mapping existing cashew plantations for better management of rural farmland and assessing the soil suitability to future cashew expansion in the study area. GIS and multi-criteria analysis were used to analyze the natural vegetation and soil suitability for future cashew expansion in Nasarawa state. Data collection was done through structured questionnaire administered to cashew farmers in the study area, GPS coordinates and soil samples were collected for suitability test. Results showed that despite a very suitable soil for plantation cashew, its expansion is slow with implication in conservation and carbon emissions. This implies that there is need for a sustainable management of cashew agriculture practices to ensure optimum production for farmers and stakeholders in cashew value chain should address relevant factors affecting low yield via a holistic government intervention program.