By Correspondent in Abuja.
Pineapple has been described as a black gold with much potential capable of boosting economic growth and development of Nigeria.
The National President, Pineapple Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Etsano, made the remark in an exclusive interview with newsmen in Abuja.
According to him, what the association needs now is some form of certification to ease export of the fruit commodity.
“It may interest you to know that one of the most sought after certifications in the world is for fresh fruits and vegetables,” he said.
Etsano said that membership of the association cuts across the country and a members of MSME Forum, an umbrella body of Medium and Small scale industries in Nigeria, called on the government to come up with a road map on how to drive the sector a little bit further.
He said the move became important so that Nigerian pineapple could compete favourably at the international market, especially with Ghana and Ivory Coast that have set up agencies to monitor the export of the commodity.
“Nigeria is the 6th highest Pineapple producer in the world and solely made possible by individua members’ efforts and contribution.
Mr Godwin Etsano appealed for funding of the sector through various loans and interventions from government and agencies to enable producers of pineapple meet up with the certification for export of the commodity
According to wikipedia, pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae.
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Pineapple.
Photo credit: Wikipedia.
The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
