South-eastern Nigeria is among the six geopolitical regions in Nigeria, comprising five States: Abia, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, and Enugu.
The region is known for its unique cultural heritage and diversity and contributes significantly to the diverse economy of the country, which includes agriculture, trade, manufacturing, and services.
They are popularly known for the Cultivation of Cassava, palm oil, rice, cocoa, and others.
Recently, Okechukwu Njoku, an IT specialist, set out to commence Apple farming in the region as a way to resolve sole production from the North and reduce Apple importation to Nigeria.
Njoku revealed to our Team that there are lots of crops that are yet to be planted in the region due to Climate changes and soil varieties.
"Though I have not commenced fully, I am carrying out more research, testing the seed and the soil, and checking the best farming method to adopt for my Apple, whether Greenhouse, irrigation, or others. I will find out after my research’’ he narrated.
He disclosed that the research will give him the opportunity to see if it is possible to grow and harvest apples twice a year, noting that apples are a long-term plant.
In Nigeria, the majority of apples consumed are imported from countries like South Africa and the United States of America. Statistics show that at least 50, 000 tons of these apples are imported into the country annually.
Each year, the consumption of apples is on the rise, and there’s a need to find ways to begin to grow apples in the country in order to meet this growing demand.
Apples serve as raw materials for the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries in the country, and the fresh fruits can be eaten raw.
Therefore, the Government should tap into this by encouraging the production of apples to reduce the country’s high import bill.
So, Nigeria can start exporting rather than importing the fruit.