ABUJA . – Nigeria is on the cusp of an agricultural transformation that could not only revitalize its economy but also establish the country as a global leader in pineapple production. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, 26th August, 2024 in Abuja, Ambassador Alabi highlighted the vast, yet underutilized, potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Despite being richly endowed with natural resources, Nigeria remains heavily reliant on food imports, a situation that Alabi insists must be urgently addressed. “Nigeria is blessed with everything we need to be a top player in global agriculture,” Alabi remarked. “Yet, we continue to import what we could easily produce in abundance.
This is a situation we must change.” Alabi underscored the current global food security crisis as a unique opportunity for Nigeria to assert itself as a leading food producer, particularly in the pineapple industry. “The world is looking for reliable sources of food, and Nigeria has the capacity to meet that demand,” he emphasized.
“But we must act now, with urgency and determination, to unlock our full potential.” A Pioneer in Pineapple Farming Alabi revealed that Nigeria loses an estimated ₦50 million daily due to the importation of pineapples, despite producing approximately 1,607,200 metric tons annually, making it the eighth-largest producer of pineapples globally. He highlighted the efforts of Davidorlah Nigeria Limited, a company that has spent over eight years specializing in the cultivation, management, and distribution of premium organic pineapples and other fruits such as pawpaw, bananas, mangoes, coconuts, and watermelons.
“The company has built a reputation as a trusted supplier to leading firms, adopting advanced agricultural techniques and sustainable practices to ensure exceptional fruit production,” Alabi stated. “We’ve made it our mission to not only grow high-quality fruits but also to empower the communities where we operate,” he added. “Through our work, we’ve financially empowered over 10,000 Nigerians, created jobs, and contributed to reducing crime in rural areas.
” Alabi expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s comparative advantage, the country still imports pineapples from Ghana and Togo—countries ranked 13th and 16th in global pineapple production, respectively. He noted that Nigeria currently meets only 50% of its pineapple needs annually, and despite high demand from Asian markets, the country has been unable to produce enough to meet this demand. He further explained that the pineapples cultivated in Nigeria often do not meet the required standards for industrial use due to farmers’ non-compliance with good agricultural practices.
This results in subpar fruit quality, making them unsuitable for export and industrial applications. Moreover, the lack of proper processing facilities in Nigeria hinders the export of value-added products such as canned pineapples and concentrated pineapple juice, thereby excluding the country from lucrative global markets. Alabi outlined Davidorlah Nigeria Limited’s key achievements, including community development initiatives such as installing solar-powered boreholes in rural areas and rehabilitating rural roads.
“We are not just in the business of farming; we are in the business of nation-building,” he declared. Why Pineapple Farming? Pineapple is the fifth most consumed fruit in the world and holds a unique position as a luxury item in the global market. The demand for pineapples consistently exceeds supply, making it a highly lucrative crop.
However, despite being the eighth-largest producer globally, Nigeria still imports pineapples due to a shortfall in local production. “Imagine a country that produces so much, yet still imports to meet its needs,” Alabi noted. “This is a paradox that we must resolve if we are to become a self-sufficient nation.
” Ambassador Alabi pointed out that many Nigerian farmers lack access to modern knowledge, resources, and infrastructure needed to meet international standards. “Our farmers work hard, but they are often hampered by a lack of access to the latest farming techniques and technologies,” he said. “This results in our pineapples falling short of export-quality benchmarks, which is a missed opportunity for the nation.
” Challenges and Opportunities in Nigeria’s Pineapple Market Nigeria’s inability to capitalize on its pineapple production is attributed to several key challenges, including inconsistent quality control, limited processing facilities, low market presence, high dependence on imports, youth unemployment, rural poverty, and inadequate infrastructure. To address these issues, Alabi outlined a comprehensive strategy that Davidorlah Nigeria Limited is committed to implementing. The company plans to revolutionize Nigeria’s pineapple farming sector by empowering 50,000 Nigerian youth and farmers with 50,000 hectares of land, offering comprehensive training, and providing resources to ensure success.
“We are investing in the future of Nigeria by investing in its people,” Alabi said. “By empowering our youth and farmers, we are creating a sustainable agricultural sector that can compete on a global scale.” A Call to Action Alabi urged the Nigerian government to create an enabling environment that fosters business growth and allows the private sector to thrive.
“The government has a critical role to play in providing the right policies and infrastructure that will enable businesses like ours to succeed,” he emphasized. “We need strategic engagement with experienced agricultural professionals who can provide informed advice on addressing the nation’s food security challenges.” A Vision for the Future In closing, Ambassador Alabi invited individuals, companies, government bodies, and parastatals to partner with Davidorlah Nigeria Limited in achieving the vision of positioning Nigeria at the forefront of the global pineapple market.
“We cannot do this alone,” he said. “Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous nation by leveraging the immense potential of our agricultural sector.” “A nation cannot achieve greatness without the ability to feed itself,” he declared passionately.
“Let’s make Nigeria not just the giant of Africa, but the giant of the world in agriculture.”.
