Post by Trade facilitator on Jun 10, 2021 13:41:46 GMT 1
Waterleaf business in Nigeria is very lucrative and it is capable of sustaining any farmer no matter your level of operation. Both the leaves and stems of this vegetable are consumed as food. The leaves are fleshy, green in colour and soft.
Waterleaf which is also known as Talinum Triangulare is a plant that grows at all seasons and in all types of soils.
The waterleaf plant is normally farmed in the southern part of the country, but these days they can be found in almost all parts of the country because it is farmed all through the year both during dry and rainy seasons.
This leaf is so important that people use it in almost all types of soup in the south east and south-south regions of the country. It is everyday food in the south and its demand outweighs supply.
As soon as the plant matures which is usually very fast, you can start harvesting every fortnight depending on the farming method used. Waterleaf is very underrated and undervalued in Nigeria because majority of the people regard it as wild plant, thereby not paying serious attention to it until when they want to prepare soup.
It is known as Gbure in Yoruba land, Mgbolodi in Igbo, Malabar in Ibibio, and Ebe dondon in Edo.
It contains lots of water and nutrients such as: minerals, vitamins, crude fibre, lipids, and other things that make them highly medicinal.
Benefits of eating waterleaf:
Improves blood cell: the crude protein contained in it helps to improve the red and white blood cells.
It promotes healthy heart: it prevents heart related diseases if eaten regularly. It supplies the right amount blood and oxygen to the body system.
Eliminates infections and diseases: when used with other vegetables, can be used in the treatment of diseases like malaria.
Helps in weight loss: it aids weight loss due to the amount of fibre content in it.
Eases digestion: waterleaf helps in reducing constipation and enhancing proper digestion of food.
Why should you go into waterleaf farming?
Waterleaf is very easy to plant; if you have the stems you only need to find a good location, even though they grow in a variety of soils. That is the reason why the locals do not take it seriously as they see it grow around them without anybody taking credit for planting them. You simply need to insert the stems into the ground close to each other to create clusters and you are good to go.
But if you have waterleaf seeds; you can place them in empty clay pots or place them in the soil. Potted waterleaf will grow anywhere and can start dropping seeds when it rains or comes in contact with adequate water.
Water leaf farming is very easy to do and does not really require much experience; you just need to acquire some technical knowledge of what to do and within a short time you are into the business.
After planting what you need to do is to continue watering the plants until harvest as they need much water to grow well.
How to export waterleaf from Nigeria to foreign countries
Waterleaf from Nigeria can be exported fresh or dried. If you want to export it in the dried form, you will need to wash and clean it properly to remove foreign matter and other impurities.
Then you have to take them to the drying machine to dry them at between 42-45 degrees centigrade. After drying be sure to sort the bad ones out of the lot and package the good ones according the contract specifications.
Dried vegetable are better for the US markets while the fresh ones are good for the European markets because it takes fewer hours to reach Europe.
Quarantine Services
Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) is a body set up by the Nigerian government to regulate agricultural commodities being exported from the country to foreign countries.
They must certify your products as being in good and consumable condition; they will then issue you with a certificate of quality called Phytosanitary Certificate before your goods can be accepted by foreign buyers, especially in the EU.
Important facts to take note of if you want to be a vegetable exporter
As an intending vegetable exporter from Nigeria, you must know the following facts before venturing into the business so as to avoid disappointment and losses.
Your vegetable must be from a farm registered with Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)
They have a list of vegetable farmers; they go to their farms to fumigate their vegetable to be sure that they are free from fungi and bacteria
You can only export vegetables on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Other products can be exported any day of the week.
Vegetables are packed in 50 grams, 150 grams, etc. depending on contract with your buyer.
All agricultural commodities exported from Nigeria must be accompanied by Phytosanitary Certificate issued by Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service.
Please always study your contract very well before preparing your products, especially perishable goods like vegetables. The European Union takes edible products very seriously and has laid down rules and procedures to be followed before such goods are allowed into their countries.
Stay with us for more on vegetable export from Nigeria.
