Nigeria
possesses a large expanse of land estimated at 91 million; of this, 81 million
hectares are arable, characterised by rich soil, warm all-year-round
temperatures and well-distributed rainfall. An estimated 18 million hectares of
this land is classified as permanent pasture for livestock production.
Nigeria
is an agricultural nation; the green on the national flag signifies that. Over
the years, Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil has led to a massive decline in
agriculture, and the negative impact of this decline has been evident in food
production, food importation, and an overall economic food crises. Growing the
agricultural sector in Nigeria will require a collective effort between the
public and the private sectors of the nation.
Agriculture
as a business – agribusiness – focuses on the profitability in cultivating
crops and rearing livestock or in many cases, as seen in the northern parts of
the country, a mixed farming culture. There is an increased need to focus on livestock farming — away from the usual
rearing of cattle, poultry and fishery. In this case, there is need to focus on
pigs, through an exceptional initiative called PorkMoney.
Why
pork? Pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world, accounting for over 40
per cent of the world’s meat consumption. It is high in protein, essential vitamins,
minerals, amino acid and is good for overall health. Some pork parts, like that
of tenderloin, loin chops and sirloin roast, made from the lean cuts, are more
healthy than chicken.
The
PorkMoney business initiative considers the health benefits of pork and the
financial benefits related to its sales as a lucrative source that will in the
long term contribute immensely to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria;
creating jobs in the process.
Already,
some Nigerians who are promoting the PorkMoney venture in the country have
created an agribusiness subscription plan where partners can yield profits with
an initial deposit of N250,000.
PorkMoney,
with its partners, led by Ghanaian actor and businessman, John Dumelo, and Oke-Aro Pig
Farm, said to be Africa’s largest pig farm, have proposed a collaborative
plan to grow the agricultural sector through pig farming in Nigeria and Ghana,
where PorkMoney will run its operations and eventually replicate same in other
parts of Africa. The PorkMoney initiative will be launched on June 4, 2018.
(Punch)
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