The Country Representative of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Steveson, has emphasized the untapped economic potential of agriculture citing Moringa, Hibiscus and Cowpeas plants in the Lake Chad region.
Moringa is cultivated in Kano, Kaduna, Niger, and Benue States; it is rich in vitamins, boosts immunity, lowers blood sugar, and improves digestion.
Hibiscus, grown in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, and Katsina States, supports heart health, reduces blood pressure, and provides antioxidants.
Cowpeas, predominantly farmed in Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Borno States, are high in protein, aid digestion, and help regulate blood sugar.
Speaking at the 5th Lake Chad Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Borno State on Thursday, he stated that investing in cowpeas, moringa, and hibiscus farming could generate billions of dollars in revenue if peace and stability improve.
“The economic potential of crop agriculture, investment in crops such as cowpeas, moringa, and hibiscus would generate billions of dollars in revenue for the region,” Steveson said.
He highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a key opportunity to enhance regional trade and economic recovery, provided that agriculture and livestock production receive adequate investment.
“The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) provides an opportunity to boost regional trade and economic recovery if agriculture and livestock production are revived,” he said.
Steveson noted that the Lake Chad region once supported one of the largest livestock populations from West to Central Africa, underscoring its comparative advantage in livestock farming.
He stressed that stronger regional cooperation and political commitment to revitalizing agriculture could combat food insecurity and strengthen national economies.
He lamented the paradox of abundant natural agricultural resources in the region while over seven million people still face food shortages, and more than three million remain displaced due to conflict and environmental degradation.
“And, more than three million others were displaced due to prolonged conflict and environmental degradation,” he said.
He urged Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and regional organizations to strengthen partnerships and develop policies that would advance farming, livestock production, and fisheries.
Additionally, he called for a shift from outdated farming methods to modern agricultural techniques that preserve the ecosystem and boost food production.
How Nigeria, Others Can Harness Potential Of Moringa, Hibiscus, Cowpeas—Expert is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
