Abuja: Nigeria ranks 11th globally in mango production, yielding approximately one million metric tons annually, according to Dr. Garba Kangiwa, National President of the National Association of Mango Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NAMPPMAN). Despite this significant production volume, Nigeria lags behind countries like India, China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Egypt.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kangiwa emphasized that with targeted reforms, government backing, and modernized farming practices, Nigeria could potentially become one of the top three global mango-producing nations. He urged federal and state governments to actively support the mango subsector to unlock its full economic potential. He highlighted that every part of the mango is useful and boosting this sector could enhance food security, nutrition, and create employment opportunities for millions across the value chain.
Kangiwa outlined specific areas in need of government intervention, including land allocation, financial support, and provision of high-yield seedlings. NAMPPMAN plans to plant at least 50 million high-quality mango trees across the country over the next few years using modern tissue culture techniques.
The NAMPPMAN president also called for the removal of bureaucratic obstacles preventing smallholder farmers and processors from accessing critical agricultural loans and development funds. He noted that Nigerian mango farmers suffer from significant post-harvest losses due to poor storage, transport deficits, and lack of processing infrastructure.
To address domestic demand and reduce reliance on imported mango products, Kangiwa proposed the establishment of 12 to 14 processing plants across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory. He stressed the importance of increasing processing capacity to saturate the domestic market with Nigerian mango products and expanding into international markets.
Kangiwa, an Associate Professor of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, aims to overhaul NAMPPMAN’s structure during his tenure by digitizing farmer registration, mapping orchard locations, and strengthening market linkages. He called on members, private investors, and development partners to collaborate with the new executive council to reposition Nigeria’s mango subsector as a major driver of foreign exchange, job creation, and economic prosperity.