If bananas and plantains are planted in commercial quantities and exported, they have the potential to revive Nigeria's economy, reports the Chairman of the National Banana and Plantain Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria Dr. Okezie Abarikwu.
He said that if given the necessary attention, the banana and plantain business can serve as a veritable measure for diversification of the nation’s economy.
He said that the association would help to promote the growing and marketing of the product nationwide.
He added that the cooperation between farmers and traders would ensure that issues affecting the cultivation and marketing of banana and plantain received adequate attention.
Earlier the State Public Relations Officer of NBPAN, Hon. Grant Obinwa Nwogu said the association would generate funds from its members to acquire over one hundred acres of land, where they would plant solely for commercial purposes.
He said, “by the time we begin to produce the varieties of banana and plantain related products in a large quantity, people will come to buy and we can export it to other parts of the country and beyond. We have the manpower, the calibre of people and professionals in the field. Our association has the capacity to achieve it”.
