A non-profit organisation based in Nigeria, Uplifting Youths Through Agriculture (UYOTA), is partnering with Wambugu Apples, a Kenyan agricultural firm, to empower Nigerian youths through the cultivation of apple fruit.
Speaking at a meeting organised in Lagos by the two organisations, the founder of UYOTA, Afoma Adigwe, explained that it was imperative to partner with Wambugu Apples because of the new breed of the fruit, which can grow anywhere in Nigeria.
Adigwe said, “The only place where apple can grow in Nigeria is Jos, Plateau State, but this specie of Wambugu Apples can grow anywhere in Nigeria, and that is the reason UYOTA is collaborating with them to bring in the improved seedlings to create jobs for our teeming youths, which has always been my agenda.
“We also have a mission to encourage the youth and stakeholders in the agricultural sector to see how we can encourage and grow five million Wambugu apples in the next five years in Nigeria and other identified African countries.
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“We have already planted in Kano, Kogi, Ikorodu in Lagos and Imo State. Recently, we bought seedlings for some people in Katsina, Benue, Oyo and Umuahia in Abia State.”
To her, the project has a value chain as it would not only earn foreign exchange but assist the government in the area of youth empowerment.
She added, “We will go to primary and post primary schools to introduce the project because we want to catch them young. Schoolchildren should have an idea of planting an apple tree, and when they grow up they will put it into practice.
“Universities in the country can make millions of dollars by farming apples with reference to what Moi University, Kenya has done.
“Having understood that most universities have large expanses of land and potential manpower, it is wise that most of them in Nigeria should take advantage of apple farming like Moi University in Kenya have done. This will create cash flow to the school, jobs for the students and skills for students, among other things.”
She also appealed to the government to assist the agricultural sector by providing infrastructure, such as good roads, water, electricity etc.
Also speaking during the meeting, the managing director of Wambugu Apples, Kate Wambugu, explained that the partnership would lead to transformation in the agricultural sector in Nigeria, adding that each Wambugu’s apple tree could produce between 300 and 500 fruits per year.
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