The National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN) has called on investors and stakeholders to establish coconut processing industry across coconut producing states in the country.
Dr Nma Okoroji, National President of the association made the call on the sideline of the commemoration of the World Coconut Day on Saturday in Abuja.
The World Coconut Day is commemorated annually on September 2 and the theme for 2023 is “Sustaining the Coconut Sector for the Present and Future Generation”.
According to Okoroji, the coconut viable states are Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Yobe, Ogun, Adamawa, Niger, Taraba, Borno, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kwara, Kogi, and FCT among others.
She said establishment of processing industries in the states would avail the group the opportunity to process every component of the coconut like the shell, water, coconut meat, fibrous husk and packaging same for export.
“Processing of the commodity is key because the value chain of the product is very huge, over 300,000 products can be extracted from the coconut. It can also be used to manufacture bags, carpet, door mats, coil, twine, rugs, cosmetics, orthopaedic foam, coconut flour, chips, organic manure for farming among others.
“The Coconut exocarp, fibrous husk, shell, oil, water, the coconut meat among others is money,” Okoroji added.
She said the group is embarking on its cardinal point tagged Coconut Sufficiency in Nigeria (COSIN) 2027.
Okoroji said the programme envisioned plantations of 10,000 hectres in each of the coconut viable states which entails one family to three coconut trees initiative.
“This simple, yet impactful endeavour, not only contributes to increased coconut production but also enhances biodiversity, supports soil conservation, and provides a pathway to economic empowerment.
“The initiative reflects the association’s dedication to empower families, communities, individuals and corporate bodies (Private/Public) to actively participate in the sustainable development of the coconut sector in the country.
“The “One Family, 3 Coconut Trees” initiative encourages every family to plant and nurture three coconut trees,” she said.
Okoroji said by promoting this initiative, the association aims to catalyze a grassroots movement that resonates with the ethos of sustainable agriculture and responsible resource management.
“This is because coconut is an untapped sector and investing in coconut is investing in the future generation,“ she said.
