Plantain Business in Nigeria

You can make money monthly from buying, storing and reselling plantain in Nigeria. Plantains, also known as plátanos, are closely related cultivars of fruit or dessert Banana. They are one of the staple sources of carbohydrates for larger populations in Africa.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant that develops from the underground rhizome and it flourishes well under tropical moisture-rich, humid, low-lying farmlands.

Plantain business is lucrative if well planned like every other business. Consumers request for ripe, unripe or mix ripe plantains depending on their choice. They can be preserved in a fridge for a longer period of time and also it can be peeled and dried.

COST/SELLING PRICE

A dozen of plantain can be bought for N7,200 – N9,500 including transportation depending on the distance and sold for N14,400 – N18,000 (double the price). A dozen can be sold within 3 - 4 days.

RIPENING PROCESS

Unripe plantain takes 2 – 3 days to ripe. They can ripe on their own or you use carbids. Ripening process, however, enhances flavor and sweetness since much of its starch converts to sugar, similar to as in the case of fruit bananas but a lesser extent

STORAGE

Plantains can be stored in a dry ventilated space/store but during dry season, if too much air touches the plantain they will change their color to black

ADVANTAGES(S)

 

·         Plantains carry more vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium than bananas

·         They provide adequate levels of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorous. 

·         They contains 2.3 g of dietary fiber per 100 g

DISADVANTAGE(S)

Like every other business, plantain has one major disadvantage

·         Once ripe they show signs of decay in a short time span.

USES

·         Fried and ate with rice, pap, beans or alone

·         Boiled as porridge with dry fish or crayfish

·         Boiled and ate with stew
·         Grilled and ate with stew/ pepper

·         Roasted (popularly known as Boole) and ate with groundnut or pepper

·         Dried and blended with corn, wheat or soya beans to prepare children food

·         Plantain flour

You can start plantain business with just N10,000.