Dr. J.O. Lawal, an Assistant Director with the Institute, attended the 17th African Cashew Alliance conference which was held in Saly, Senegal from 18th -22nd September, 2023. The theme of the conference was ‘Sustaining the African cashew industry: assessing the journey so far and looking forward”. The conference was well attended by scientists, captains of industry, Directors, and entrepreneurs from all over the world. At the conference, Dr. Lawal presented a paper titled: “Constraints to sustainable production and marketing of raw cashew nuts for improved farmer livelihood in Abia State, Nigeria”. In her presentation, she recommended that cashew farmers in Abia State be assisted and trained on reduction of the incidences of pests and diseases, adaptation and mitigation of climate change and attacks by herdsmen on farming households to help reduce the risks and uncertainties in production and also link them to sustainable markets.