Ugu (Fluted Pumpkin) farmers under the auspices of the Pumpkins Growers, Processors and Marketing Association of Nigeria (PUGMAN) North-east zone, have stated that the commodity (Ugu), if properly harnessed is capable of contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, reduce the rate of unemployment as well as serving as a panacea for Nigeria’s economic woes.
To this end, the farmers have said they are prepared to embark on massive Ugu farming in commercial quantities in the North-east sub-region.
Speaking during PUGMAN’s National Stakeholders Meeting and Awareness/Enlightenment campaign for the zone held at BSADP, Bauchi Saturday, its National President Uche Ihugba said: “Pumpkin is continually becoming a fast growing crop for Nigeria’s producers and we want to continually promote the production for consumption at home as well as for export purposes.”
According to him, “To date, Ugu is one of the best crops we plant. It’s easy to plant, grows very fast and is ready to harvest in just six weeks. The beauty of Ugu is its cashflow. From the time it reaches maturity, you can harvest and sell it every week.”
While highlighting the various socio-economic and medical importance of pumpkin in the society, Ihugba urged the three tiers of government to beam their searchlight on harnessing the potentials in the growing, production and marketing of the product on a large scale in their quest to transform the socio-economic and health development of the nation.
Source: thisdaylive.com
