Ambassador Segun Alabi, a seasoned agripreneur, has emphasized that one effective way to make pineapple farming appealing to young people is for the Government to provide financial support to budding entrepreneurs, helping them achieve self-reliance.
Alabi urged both the Federal and State Governments to create a conducive environment that encourages youth participation in agriculture. He stressed the importance of providing essential infrastructure, including security and social amenities, to curb rural-urban migration.
As the CEO of Davidorlah Nigeria Limited and founder of Davidorlah Farm, Alabi made this appeal during the allocation of pineapple farm plots to farmers who subscribed to the second phase of his pineapple plantation project in Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He described the farm allocations as a major milestone in his company’s vision of positioning Nigeria as a top global exporter of pineapples in the near future.
Highlighting the profitability of pineapple cultivation, Alabi pointed out that unlike many other crops, pineapple farms are resistant to destruction by roaming cattle.
He shared that the first phase of the farm project had already sold out, and that road construction for the second phase is being supported by the World Bank. “Davidorlah Farm Estate is well-located and has great potential. The global demand for pineapple continues to rise. If Nigeria can become the world’s leading producer, supplying pineapples to various countries, it would be a major achievement. Government support, especially in terms of financing, can empower our youth. With adequate funding, young people can thrive in agriculture,” he said.
Alabi further noted that Davidorlah Farm is not just focused on cultivation but also on training and capacity-building. “We have already trained over 500 individuals. The pineapple value chain is extensive,” he added.
According to him, pineapple farming has significant socio-economic benefits, including job creation in rural areas, which contributes to reducing unemployment and poverty.
Explaining the versatility of pineapples, Alabi said the fruit is not only used for juice production but that its peel can be repurposed for making shoes, clothing, biofuel, and renewable energy.
He also revealed that his company is collaborating with investors from the Netherlands and Indonesia to transform pineapple waste into valuable products and reduce dependence on imported fertilizers.