By Christiana Ekpa
As Nigeria searches for a path beyond oil, a company planting the seeds of a new economic future — and harvesting results, Davidorlah Farms, Nigeria’s leading pineapple producer, has said that it’s turning agriculture into big business and helping to grow the nation’s GDP in the process.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the Davidorlah Farms, Managing Director, Oluwasegun Alabi,
revealed its bold vision to make Nigeria the number one exporter of pineapple in the world, adding that it isn’t just about fruit — it’s about jobs, exports, and economic transformation.
“We are not just farming, We are building a global agricultural brand that creates wealth, empowers farmers, and boosts Nigeria’s economy.”
He said Farms operates across the full pineapple value chain — from large-scale cultivation to producing world-class pineapple concentrate. “These products are not only feeding Nigerian homes, they’re making their way to international markets and bringing in critical foreign exchange.
He said “Agriculture. Agriculture remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s economy and holds immense potential to significantly increase our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With our vast arable land, favorable climate, and a resilient labor force, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to harness agriculture for sustainable economic growth.
“”Introduction Agriculture is as old as history of man and serves as the life blood of the economy. This is stated on the fact that agriculture plays a major role in economic growth and development. As the provider of food, it is a cornerstone of human existence.
“Agriculture is a way of life that involves production of animals, fisheries, crops, forest resources for the consumption of man and supplying the agro product required by other sectors Agriculture is the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy and largest sector inNigeria, contributing an average of 24% to the nation’s GDP and employing over 36% of the labor force. Boosting this sector can further diversify the economy, reduce dependency on the oil sector, and improve overall economic well-being significantly influencing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment rates, food security, and foreign exchange (forex) inflows. Here’s an overview of its impact:
“The Importance of Agriculture in Nigeria’s Economic Development For too long, Nigeria’s economy has leaned heavily on oil, a resource with fluctuating global prices and limited sustainability.
Because of global warming, the World Bank is defunding fossil fuel projects which is now giving room to the usage of agricultural waste product in essence, turning waste into wealth. This has made Africa tackle this major problem by converting agricultural waste products into biofuel, biogas, bio char.
“This has increased the need to turn agricultural waste into useful energy in more places around the world. Today, we are reminded that the key to a resilient and prosperous Nigeria lies not beneath the soil, but on its surface in agriculture.
The agricultural sector currently remains the most viable tool for diversifying the economy, ensuring food security, and driving foreign exchange earnings.
“Davidorlah Farms, as a private-sector, plays a significant role in strengthening Nigeria’s economy through agriculture, particularly through its focus on pineapple cultivation and processing. By operating across the pineapple value chain from primary production to fruit supply and concentrate manufacturing, the firm contributes to both food security and agro-industrial development.
“Davidorlah Farms is playing a transformative role in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By investing in large-scale farming, modern equipment, and farmer’s training, we are helping to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern agribusiness.
“Our Farms not only boosts food production and quality but also plans on empowering thousands of smallholder farmers with access to better markets, knowledge, and income. Through value chain development and innovation, we contribute to food security, job creation, and export growth, driving the sector forward and supporting national economic goals Foreign Exchange Earnings.”
