President of National Banana and Plantain Growers:
Nigeria can earn over N2bn annually from bananas
Mr. Oghenekaro said this in a presentation during the inauguration of three newly registered commodity associations recently in Abuja.
“There are 774 local governments in Nigeria. If every local government cultivates one hectare of banana, that will translate to 774 hectares.
One hectare yields about 1,500 bundles and one bundle sells for about N2,000. By the time you do your calculations, the country can earn over N2 billion annually from banana,” the NABPAN president said.
He maintained that Nigeria can earn more if banana and plantain farming is embraced and the enabling environment is created for the farmers to get higher yield for local consumption and export.
Mr. Oghenekaro said other neighbouring countries were thriving on banana and plantain export while Nigeria is yet to key into the export potentials of the crops.
He said apart from employment generation and wealth creation, banana and plantain also have medicinal values.
The NABPAN president noted that the association was ready to partner with other stakeholders to make gains in the banana and plantain sub-sector of agriculture.
Source: dailytrust.com.ng
