By Anthony Isaac
The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Michael Ashimashiga has said that the association plans to establish N9 billion moringa oleifera farming plantation in the 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree of the family “moringaceae”. It is commonly known as drumstick tree and used as vegetable among other things.
Ashimashiga, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the arrangement was part of efforts to address unemployment in the country.
He said that the association, with about 5,000 members and targeting 10 million for the raining season, was planting to cultivate and sell due to high demand both locally and internationally.
He said: “Development of the country depends largely on agriculture. Moringa is a plant that does not only have health benefits but is economically viable”.
Explaining that there was a ready market to absorb each moringa farmers’ yields, he added that the association would buy the plant from them.
The president noted that the association would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with their off takers to support the youths.
He said that each of the beneficiaries would be given a plot of land and moringa seed at no cost, to cultivate.
“Moringa is very useful in high quality poultry yield among others. The economic benefit also cannot be overemphasised,’’ he said.
Ashimashiga said that India and China are generating good revenue from moringa plantations, adding that Nigeria has the capacity to generate more revenue generation from the plant.
