Pawpaw (Papaya) is considered as one of the most important fruits because of its rich source of antioxidant nutrients (carotenes, vitamin C, and flavonoids), the B vitamins (folate and pantothenic acid), minerals (potassium / magnesium), and fiber, hence, investing in the farming can be a source for making extra money.
Venturing into Pawpaw (Papaya) farming could also be lucrative as it will give you room to face other businesses. Having this farming can also make one an employer of labour as one may employ people to do the weeding of weeds in the farm.
Because Pawpaw is a source of digestion containing enzyme papain, which is used as an industrial ingredient in brewing, meat tenderising, pharmaceuticals, beauty products, and cosmetics will make an investor to get various buyers that will readily buy over the fruits on the plants.
Known as nwiwi in Ibo language, ibepe in Yoruba language and pawpaw in Edo language, it’s farming is a money spinner because many eateries and hotels include it among fruits salad for their customers.
Pawpaw has its health benefit and medicinal value. The plantation of Pawpaw can be done within one’s compound while one will need land for large scale farming.
Business Capital/Profit
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend , a civil servant and a part time farmer in Osun State, Adetunji Christopher , said: “With just N500, one can buy seeds or nursery plants and start the farming. From this, one can make about N50, 000 or more every month, at maturity.
Since each plant can bear between 2 to 12 fruits, then, one can be sure that having five or more plants will lead to more profits. One ball of Pawpaw in the open market can be from N200 to N1,000 depending on the size. This is why investor should look for buyers because most buyers will visit your farm and buy off the whole fruits on the plant in the farm.
According to Adetunji, there are two main types of Pawpaw: tall one and the dwarf type. The dwarf pawpaw can bear fruit at very tender age.
“Pawpaw can be bought online but more recommended is to buy nurseries as either grafted or seedling trees. Grafted trees produce fruit in two to three years, while seedling trees may take up to eight to 10 years to bear fruit. It is beneficial to purchase two trees as cross-pollination is necessary for fruit.
Seedlings can be transplanted at four or five weeks after sowing when they have attained three to four leaves.
Pawpaw tree is easy to grow in warm weather when the period is not too hot or too cold.
According to him, Pawpaw is sold at affordable prices and a dozen of a small-sized pawpaw is sold from N1,200 and N1,500 upwards while a dozen of a big sized pawpaw is sold from N2,500 upwards. From the market, you can get pawpaw for as low as N100.
