Entrepreneur urges  govt to provide farmers with coconut seedlings

Miss Selome Hunpatin, executive director of Selomnaturelle and a coconut entrepreneur, has asked the federal government to supply coconut seedlings to farmers to increase yield.

she told the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) in Abuja that there was a coconut shortage in Nigeria, which makes farmers go to Togo and Ghana to get coconuts.

“Importing coconuts from other countries or between states is very expensive,” she said.

The entrepreneur said she learned how to use coconut for various products during an empowerment program in Lagos state.

“Thanks to the empowerment program, I was able to make bags, mugs, key chains, necklaces as well as coconut milk, coconut shavings, coconut oil, coconut soap and also employ labour, ”she said.

She added that coconut can also be used for cooking, hair growth, baking, skincare and as a medicine.

Another entrepreneur, Miss Comfort Adedeji, said the government should not only focus on particular agricultural products, but it should also look at the fruit aspect of agriculture.

She said the coconut trade was the most underrated in Nigeria, but that it had good prospects.

“Coconut has many benefits; no part of the coconut can be considered as waste.

“You can make a lot of income from the coconut business when you’re ready to change your wealth status, adding that coconut is as relevant as crude oil,” she said.

Abimbola Ayomide, a baker, said coconut contains natural sugar and oil and as such is good for baking various pastries.

“I would rather use coconut oil for cooking than using vegetable oil or even butter; you can never go wrong using coconut for cooking.

“We also have coconut flour from the same fruits that Nigerians overlook; coconut flour can be used for anything, ” she added.

Ayomide said that coconut flour can be made at home and is very easy to use.

According to her, coconut flour has various health benefits and is delicious.

“Coconut flour is high in protein, fibre and healthy fats and is also gluten-free.

“This is why we are calling on the federal government to make coconut seeds available to farmers so that they are available and affordable. (NAA)

(NAN)