Investment in Pineapple Cultivation: A Pathway to Unemployment Reduction and Economic Growth
Oluwasegun Alabi, the CEO of Davidorlah Farms, highlights the potential of pineapple cultivation in Nigeria to combat unemployment and earn foreign exchange for the government. Despite the 2024 budget allocation of only two percent for agriculture, Alabi emphasizes the significant agricultural potential of Nigeria, advocating for the transformation of farming into a business rather than a struggle. He is committed to making Nigeria a leading exporter of pineapples, with existing international interest and partnerships supporting this ambitious goal. Alabi argues that investment in pineapple farming not only promises economic returns but also enhances food security, which is essential for national development.
Youth Engagement: A Nationwide Initiative
Alabi is committed to attracting 50,000 youths into pineapple farming, emphasizing that interest is key to participation, regardless of ethnic background. Davidorlah Farms plans to implement a nationwide selection process, focusing on training interested individuals in innovative farming techniques. By encouraging young Nigerians to engage in agriculture, Alabi believes they will find opportunities for self-employment rather than waiting for job openings in other sectors. This shift in focus from complaints about governmental shortcomings to proactive efforts in agriculture is seen as crucial for Nigeria’s economic future.
Collaboration with Educational Institutions
To leverage the potential of agricultural graduates, Alabi envisions collaboration with universities to train the next generation of farmers, agronomists, and agricultural managers. He underscores the irony of agricultural graduates working in unrelated fields, stressing the need to align their careers with agricultural practices. At Davidorlah, the goal is to provide young Nigerians with a comprehensive understanding of pineapple cultivation and marketing, eventually empowering them to provide employment for others. By fostering a strong agricultural workforce, the project seeks to create a sustainable model that contributes to national food security and economic growth.
Approach to Financing and Support
Alabi expresses skepticism about traditional funding models that provide free grants, which often lead to mismanagement and lack of accountability. Instead, Davidorlah Farms seeks to adopt a model where trained farmers operate their own farms with a structured salary system. This would ensure that financial assistance is tied to specific outcomes and encourages responsible farming practices. By offering salaries and defining clear expectations, the initiative aims to foster a sense of ownership among farmers, ultimately producing a self-sustaining agricultural ecosystem. Alabi believes that this approach can significantly increase the number of effective farmers from year to year.
Export Potential and Global Identity
While Davidorlah Farms has yet to begin exporting pineapples, there is considerable demand from international markets. Alabi sees this as an opportunity to raise Nigeria’s agricultural profile globally, contrasting it with established pineapple producers like Thailand and Costa Rica. He insists that Nigerian pineapples possess a unique taste that sets them apart and promises to establish Nigeria as an agricultural powerhouse rather than a consumer nation. By focusing on pineapple cultivation, Alabi aims to reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape and improve the living standards of its citizens, laying a foundation for foreign exchange earnings that could benefit the country on multiple levels.
Navigating Challenges: Infrastructure and Climate
Alabi acknowledges the challenges posed by inadequate infrastructure and climate change on agricultural operations. He explains that Davidorlah Farms prioritizes maintaining accessible roads for transporting products and relies on insurance to mitigate risks related to logistics. The farm employs sustainable practices, utilizing boreholes for irrigation in dry periods while ensuring proper drainage during excessive rainfall. Addressing security concerns, the farm collaborates with local agencies to safeguard its operations. Alabi emphasizes the importance of a robust organizational structure within the farm, which empowers staff to manage operations efficiently. This strategy aims to sustain productivity while allowing for innovation and adaptability in agriculture, essential in a volatile economic and environmental landscape.
