Pineapple farmers on Wednesday July 8 in Lagos, called for increased investment in processing facilities and export development. They said a significant proportion of harvested pineapples was lost before reaching consumers because of the fruit’s highly perishable nature and inadequate value-addition facilities.
Mr Afolabi Odunlami, and Mrs Iyanu Falaye, both pineapple farmers, agreed that many producers were compelled to sell their harvest at low prices during peak production to avoid losses. They maintained that investment in processing plants would absorb surplus production, reduce waste and create jobs across the value chain.
Also speaking, Mr Rotimi Akinwale attributed rising post-harvest losses to poor transportation infrastructure and limited market access. He called for improved road networks, collection centres and organised produce markets, as well as the establishment of processing plants close to farming communities.
A fruit exporter, Mrs Aminat Olotu, said Nigeria could benefit from growing international demand for fresh and processed tropical fruits if farmers met quality and traceability requirements. She noted that many farmers lacked adequate knowledge of export standards, limiting their participation in the international market.
The stakeholders urged government agencies, financial institutions, research organisations and private investors to collaborate in developing the pineapple industry through value addition and export promotion so as to reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to agricultural development in the country.
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