MAKING IT, SPENDING IT: MAKE OR MAR MONEY CHOICES: Benefitting From Bitter Leaf Farming  

Vermonia Amygadalina, which is commonly known as bitterleaf has been one of God’s gifts to humanity.

Fresh bitter leaf is of great importance in the human diet because it contains vitamins and mineral salts. Eating bitter leaf soap could be the panacea for liver damage, diabetes, cancer, and drug resistant microbial infections.

There are different names for bitter leaf in Nigeria. The Igbos call it onugbu; Yorubas called it Ewuro;  Ibibio call it Atido, Tiv calls it Ityuna; in Edo, it is called Oriwo and Hausas call it Chusar doki.

The leaf has huge market demand following its constant shipment abroad where it is properly dried for the production of green tea, weight loss tea, hypertension tea and other forms of health-related supplements.

Consumption of bitter leaf on a regular basis can help reduce high sugar level and also repair the pancreas, even as it also moderates one’s glucose content.

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Market Potentials

Because of its health benefits, it can be mixed with melon soup. Many big time or professional bitterleaf farmers make their money by supplying the leaves to hotels and eatries that serve African dishes.

Health Benefits

A renowned pharmacy, Pharmacist Babayemi Oyekunle, while speaking with me says, bitter leaf is natural healing plant.

Oyekunle, who is also a pastor, explains how one can use bitter leaf as prevention against high sugar level, pile and other ailments. “If you noticed you have eaten or drank things that are too sugary, you can use bitter leaf to dilute the effects of such things. In fact, you don’t have to wait until you eat anything that can bring a health challenge.

“As most food and drinks being consumed in the country are filled with too much carbohydrate, you can eat few leaves of bitter leaf at least once a week. This will help to stabilise your blood and sugar level.”

Initial Capital

Bitter leaf doesn’t require much. As long as you have the land to plant, all you need is to clear and cultivate it. You don’t need more than N10,000 to N20,000 for logistics, to start with.

Planting

For a cemented compound, one can plant bitter leaf inside an empty sack of rice or nylon bag, or inside plastic bucket filled to half with sand. A beginner can cut and replant the stick or get the dried seeds for planting.

After you must have gone through these steps, you rest and wait for them to start growing as it takes 2-3 weeks to start growing. Meanwhile, it will take about three months before you begin to harvest them.

At the end of the first three months, your hard work will begin to pay you. What follows is constant income after every 3 weeks.

Profitability

Investigation shows that one can make N50, 000 weekly or N200,000 monthly and above from washing and supplying bitter leaves to hotels within your state or across Nigeria.