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NIGERIA has exported 1,983 containers of hibiscus flowers to Mexico over the last year generating revenue of $35m as part of the continued drive towards diversifying the economy and ending the reliance on crude oil.
Since independence, Nigeria has remained a mono-economy, with about 90% of government revenue coming from crude oil exports. Of late, however, the government has intensified efforts to diversify the economy in the light of falling oil prices and the widespread availability of alternatives like shale, which has affected sales.
According to Dr Vincent Isegbe, the coordinating director of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (Naqs), farmers and other investors were yet to tap into this goldmine, however. He added that there is a high demand for hibiscus from Europe, Asia and America and so far, farmers in Jigawa have been the biggest beneficiaries because they are the largest producers.
Dr Isegbe said: “In the last one year there has been increase in exports of agricultural commodities and hibiscus alone in one country, Mexico, generated $35m in nine months. In 2016, the country generated more than $20m and that is just one commodity.
"In the last one year we have done what we call Export Improvement Initiative, for so many commodities. That means we are bringing those commodities that were lying low to ensure that they are properly positioned for export."
He added that Mexicans and other countries importing Nigerian hibiscus use it as organic colouring agents for drinks and wines and as a natural blended drink. In Nigeria, pharmaceutical companies use hibiscus for colouring because it is organic and the major producing state is Jigawa, while others like Kastina, Kebbi, Zamfara, Borno and Yobe also produce it.
Dr Isegbe urged states like Edo and Kwara to cultivate the hibiscus plant as it could boost their revenue generation substantially. He also urged farmers to properly organise and position themselves for increased volume of production and export, which will also create more jobs and attract more intervention from government and development partners.