‘You can earn more than minimum wage with a moringa plot’

The president of the Moringa Farmers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr Ashimashiga Michael has advised young Nigerians to see opportunities in moringa cultivation in order to generate money for themselves instead of waiting many years in vain for government’s jobs. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Dr Michael called on the government at […]

The president of the Moringa Farmers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr Ashimashiga Michael has advised young Nigerians to see opportunities in moringa cultivation in order to generate money for themselves instead of waiting many years in vain for government’s jobs.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Dr Michael called on the government at all levels to come up with alternative remedy to prevalent problems in the society, adding that the moringa project is one of the programmes that can encourage young Nigerians to see the huge potentials in the value chain.

“Unemployed youths waiting for white collar jobs can find a better way to earn more than the minimum wage by cultivating just a plot of land to supply raw materials to our company. We package and export it to other countries, who in turn repackage it into drugs and bring back to us,” he said.

He also revealed that the Eden Moringa Company, run by a group of farmers, encouraged people to grow and supply the product to the company, which has export potentials to generate forex for the country. But he said they need government support to make export easier as huge demand exist abroad.

“We can support ourselves to set up structures needed in the country if we had received a single support from the Federal Government of Nigeria. Nigeria would be a better place, but we got nothing from them, even as what we have done is for the benefit of the country. People look at us as the enemy when the only thing we provided was solution,” he added.

Dr Michael also noted the medical benefits of moringa in livestock farming and invited Nigerians to the first international seminar in order to enhance their knowledge in cultivation, utilisation and benefits.

The accountant of the Eden Moringa Multi-purpose Group, Dr Josiah O. Ajala, detailed the financial state of the company and alluded to the need of support from the federal government.

He said, “The product is on ground, but it needs to be shifted to where it is needed, and that requires money. All efforts are being made by the company to ensure the exportation of the product and that foreign buyers receive the product. They have shown that they can assist us by releasing funds, but this project still requires support from the government. The project is a massive one, and even the money the investors paid is not enough.”