From Our Correspondent
The National Coconut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN) has advocated planting 10,000 hectares of coconut in viable states across the country.
Dr Nma Okoroji, National President of NACOPPMAN, made the advocacy while speaking with newsmen in commemoration of World Coconut Day on Saturday in Abuja.
TheNewsZenith reports that World Coconut Day is commemorated annually on Sept. 2.
The theme for 2023 is “Sustaining Coconut Sector for the Present and Future Generation”.
Okoroji said the plantation of more coconut trees would enable the country to meet coconut sufficiency by 2027.
She identified viable states for coconut as Lagos, Yobe, Ogun, Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Bauchi, Kwara, Kogi and FCT among others.
Okoroji, who decried less than 50,000 hectares of land cultivation for commercial coconut plantation at the moment, however, advised the government and others to scale up the hectares.
She called for a dedication of one million hectares for coconut plantations in the country.
The national president identified “One Family, Three Coconut Trees” as a strategy for achieving Coconut Sufficiency in Nigeria (COSIN).
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According to her, the initiative reflects the association’s dedication to empowering families, communities, individuals and corporate bodies.
This is aimed at enabling them to actively participate in the sustainable development of coconut sector in the country.
“The “One Family, Three Coconut Trees” initiative encourages every family to plant and nurture three coconut trees.
“This simple, yet impactful endeavour, will not only increased coconut production but also enhances biodiversity and supports soil conservation.
“It equally provides a pathway to economic empowerment.
“By promoting this initiative, we aim to catalyse grassroots movement that resonates with the ethos of sustainable agriculture and responsible resource management,” she said.
Okoroji said the association would commemorate the World Coconut Day in Nigeria on Sept. 6. She, called for the participation of the general public and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
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