Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has called on farmers in the state to take interest in flower production, saying that it is economically viable and in demand at the international market.
This call is coming barely a week after Daily Trust report titled ‘How Plateau youths are making brisk business from flower farming’.
The report which was published on page 29 of last Sunday’s edition, and also promoted on the front page, has equally been generating positive reaction in several quarters since the publication.
Meanwhile, Governor Lalong who spoke while meeting with some French investors in Jos, the state capital, after their two day visit said his administration is determined to return the state to the export of flowers which was popular in the 70s and 80s.
He said already, some farmers in the state are making progress in the cultivation of flowers and attracting demands from within and outside the country, adding that this has reinforced the resolve of the Government to encourage and support interested farmers to go into the production.
Lalong said with the designation of the Yakubu Gowon Airport as a Cargo Airport, the export of flowers will be seamless, and that it will be complemented by the nearby Inland Container Terminal which is being activated.
In his remarks, leader of the French team, Yan Fortunato, said after their visit which took them to six Local Government Areas of the state, they were convinced by the enormous potentials of the state in agriculture which need to be developed through mechanization and improved practices.
He said the team which was visiting Nigeria on behalf of some business partners in France, has identified areas such as potato production and value chain development, flower production and export, cashew production and processing as well as forest development.
The team then promised to convey their findings to their partners and return within a short time to continue the process of partnership with the state in establishing their businesses.
