The demand for cashew nuts is on the rise compared to other tree nuts due to the increase in consumption and utilization of cashew nut products and by-products, respectively. Data from FAO and Review of past literatures was used and this study evaluated the Nigerian cashew value chain as product moves along the stages. It gives information to intending individuals along the value chain. The activities of the actors in the cashew nut value chain are expected to generate employment opportunities for teeming Nigerian youth.

The paper examined the prospects and challenges of cashew production in Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative data which were used to identify these challenges and prospects were retrieved from research findings, literatures, journals and reports. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis was used to highlight the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the internal environment of the cashew sector as well as the opportunities and threats from the external environment of the cashew sector. The paper takes a step further by employing Threats Opportunities Weaknesses and Strengths (TOWS) analysis matrix to come up with models that can be employed to improve the cashew sector in Nigeria. Some of the prospects identified include the potential employment creation, increasing cultivation area and evidenced value addition. While some of the challenges identified include poor pricing of cashew nuts, lack of proper policy intervention and underutilization of cashew apple. Government is advised to set up a cashew marketing board and provide proper policy intervention to improve prices, production levels and provide employment opportunities.

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This article assessed kolanut consumption, its benefits and side effects. Kolanut is the fruit of the kola tree, which is indigenous to West Africa. The two main varieties are Cola acuminata and Cola nitida. It is the most common masticatory in Nigeria, and is quite bitter but gives a sweet taste after chewing. A desk research was done using various published literatures on kolanut. It was unveiled that the consumption of kolanut has many benefits as well as side effects. The side effects are dependent on the quantity intake of caffeine, a significant substance present in kolanut. Caffeine is a stimulant like theobromine and kolanin, which are also present in coffee, tea and chocolate. Kolanuts are chewed fresh and are also in the form of extracts, which is common food flavouring found in energy drinks. Right amount of kolanut depends on factors such as age, physiology and health status, and as such, more effort should be channeled into the area of investigating more appropriate quantity of kolanut that should be consumed in relation to people’s status.

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