Unlocking Potentials of Hibiscus Flower

Unlocking potentials of hibiscus
flower, export
A female staff of AgroEknor sorting hibiscus flower, at the factory headquarters,
Kano.
For Nigeria to do well in global hibiscus flower market, there is

need to focus more on cultivation and processing, to fully harness
potentials of the crop and boost the country’s forex
earnings. Despite being a profitable, hibiscus has not received
adequate attention of growers and investors. Despite its many
uses and potentials, many do not know much about it. Dry
hibiscus flower is one of the key raw materials in the global
confectioneries industry.
Aside the Zoborodo (Zobo) drink for which it is commonly used,
hibiscus can be served as hot and cold herbal beverages. It can
also be processed into jellies and eddibles, among others. The
extracts from hibiscus flowers and leaves have many uses and
benefits, either medically or in industrial production. Medical
experts said consumption of Zobo made from the leaves aids
detoxification. It could lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels,
prevents liver damage, reduces weight, treats flu, it is anti-
depressant, as well as reduces blood sugar levels. It also helps in
darkening hair color and slows aging, having anti-aging
properties.
Hibiscus flower in export markets holds great promise, especially

for an economy that seeks to diversification from oil. For instance,
in 2017, before the ban by Mexican government, a total of 1,983
containers of the flower from Nigeria, worth $35m were exported
to the country alone, aside those exported to Europe, Unites
States and South America, which are unaccounted for.
A recent tour of facilities at AgroEknor Limited’s factory and farms

in Kano and Jigawa States revealed the many untapped
prospects if hibiscus. Findings showed that currently, Jigawa,
Kano, Katsina, Gombe and Niger are the major producing states,
with Katsina leading the pack. It takes only three to four months to
cultivate and majorly harvested around September and October,
depending on the area. Hibiscus flower has five-varieties –Talata
Kenya; Gugungu; Bulcara (Red and Black); Pataskum and
Katsina Flower.
Despite its prospects, only few farmers are into its cultivation, as it
has been confined to the north. It does not do well in the South
due to the soil texture, coupled with the fact that it does not
accept fertilizer usage.
One of the factors responsible for its restriction, The Guardian

learnt is lack of awareness on how to grow it, coupled with low
yield. Findings showed that farmers get between four and five
tonnes per hectare (ha), which is marginally low, compared to 10
tonnes yield, which is standard.
One of the farmers working with the company, Alhaji Idris

Abubakar, who has been into hibiscus cultivation for over 18
years, with 5,000 ha plantation in Dambata area of Kano and five
ha in Babura in Jigawa State, revealed that its cultivation is
profitable, compared to other farm produce. Abubakar, who
produces 3,000 tonnes of hibiscus yearly said: “Farmers don’t
actually know that it is profitable, aside AgroEknor, I supply five
other companies. For instance, if you invest about N200, 000 on a
hectare, you can make a profit of about N80, 000, depending on
people you put in charge. If you now invest in 10 ha, that will be
N80, 000 into 10 places, just within four months. The fact remains
that there is nothing in hibiscus that is a waste, which makes it
more profitable.
“However, we are encountering challenges. One of them is
dwindling price regime. We usually sell at the rate of N420, 000
per tonne during the peak period. There was a period that the
price rose considerably and I was forced to plant in large quantity,
but the price suddenly fell, I recorded serious losses. Other
challenges are -invasion of farms by herdsmen, lack of support
from government and activities of middlemen, who buy and hike
the price when demand is high.”
Another farmer, working with the company, Abdullahi Lawal, who

cultivates 1,000ha in Dutsima Local Government Area of Katsina
State, corroborates Abubakar’s claim on prospects of the
produce. He said investors could earn at least N50, 000 from a
hectare. He also identified activities of herdsmen and armed
robbers as serious threat to their efforts. To Auwal Mohammed
Alati, who cultivates 1,100ha spread across Dutse, Kiawa and
Gugingu in Jigawa State, profitability depends on price variation,
as price fluctuates. Alati advised farmers and investors to look
the way of hibiscus farming to boost their income, as it is
sustainable.
While conducting journalists round the facility, AgroEknor’s

Director of Operation, Doyin Adesanya, disclosed that the major
problem affecting hibiscus in the market is quality. “If the flowers
are challenged, it will be rejected. The international market takes
the issue of quality very serious. Currently, the ban by Mexico is
actually affecting us, because they account for 80 per cent of
export from Nigeria and they are always ready to accept from
Nigeria because of the quality.”
To achieve good quality, the produce goes through four food

safety standard stages – spreading and sifting; sorting; final check
and bagging, according to the Quality Control Officer, Akintunde
Adaraniwon. He said through the first three stages, all unwanted
elements that often lead to rejection in international market are
taken care of.
“Our fumigation chamber is being built and when completed, we’ll

be able to ensure removal of all unwanted particles to make it
available for international standard, he said”
The Warehouse Coordinator, Aisha Raji, told The Guardian that

the company enjoys the backing of the Nigerian Export–Import
Bank (NEXIM), which supports them with N50m loan quarterly,
payable within three months, with a target of meeting up with 100
tonnes within the specified period. She lamented that locally, the
produce doesn’t enjoy any patronage because of ignorance. “If
people are informed about the benefits, they’ll embrace it. I must
confess that locally, there is no market for it.”

Speaking on the cause of the ban of the product in Mexico,
Director of Operations, Adesanya said: “People go into the
business without knowing the nitty-gritty. They get into exporting
rubbish-stones, sands and unwanted particles, with the aim of
getting more money. When the Mexico door was closed, we had
to survive, that is why we are doing our best. We are the first
company to export hibiscus from Port Harcourt Airport, Onne, and
it was successful, the only difference compared to Lagos is the
high cost.

“High levies are charged in Port Harcourt, instead of the N140,
000 fees for exporting a container; it shoots up to N200, 000,
including hotel accommodation and logistics. The extra cost
affected our profit line. Kidnapping, insecurity and other
challenges are responsible for exporters ignoring Port Harcourt
Airport, but we took that risk. Operations there are very fast unlike
Lagos.

“The value-chain is complete in AgroEknor, we have farms, we
process, we also have freight forwarders and shipping company
that handles our produce.”Adesanya, who revealed that averagely
a tonne is sold at the international market between $1,500 and
$1,700, said it was producing 1,900 tonnes yearly, which dropped
to 1,200 due to the ban, adding that it is targeting 2,400 metric
tonnes yearly.

“Nigeria is the largest producer, but importers decided to price our
products low because of low quality. And for us to match up with
the international standard, we came up with the fumigation plan,
which will soon be in use.“Who says hibiscus flowers cultivation
will not make them rich? What is the National Agriculture
Quarantine Service (NAQS) about hibiscus? What is Jigawa State
Government doing about it? What is the Federal Government
doing to boost its cultivation? It is a multi-billion worth commodity
that can make people rich. Nothing stops the Federal Government
from extending the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to
hibiscus farmers.”

While calling on government to get involved, he appealed to
youths to develop interest in this industry; and for government to
discourage rural-urban migration and create awareness and
social campaign on benefits and potentials of growing hibiscus.
He identified unfriendly environment for investors and
entrepreneurs, especially dearth of infrastructure, as major
albatross to business development in the country.
“The issue of logistics and infrastructure is killing the business
and government needs to do something. For instance, when our
shipment leaves Kano for Lagos, the trip shouldn’t be more than
four days, but currently, a truck can spend up to 22 days on the
road due to bad state of the roads.“We are appealing to investors
to join hands with us to make the industry great. Hibiscus market
is very large, and can bring quick return on investment. Ours is a
complete value-chain, which guarantees transparency. Investors
are welcome to join hands with us.”

Unlocking Potentials of Hibiscus Flower

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Unlocking potentials of hibiscus

For Nigeria to do well in global hibiscus flower market, there is

Hibiscus flower in export markets holds great promise, especially

A recent tour of facilities at AgroEknor Limited’s factory and farms

One of the factors responsible for its restriction, The Guardian

One of the farmers working with the company, Alhaji Idris

Another farmer, working with the company, Abdullahi Lawal, who

While conducting journalists round the facility, AgroEknor’s

To achieve good quality, the produce goes through four food

“Our fumigation chamber is being built and when completed, we’ll

The Warehouse Coordinator, Aisha Raji, told The Guardian that

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