Value addition business ideas for entrepreneurs (2)

Jennifer Abraham

Many years ago, I interviewed a cattle rancher who told me how profitable the business could be. Of particular interest was the way he enthused over the benefits of raising cows for milk with the words, “Milk is my crude oil.”

In his world, whatever huge returns oil miners reap from their business, are possible in his dairy space too. This thought line is well-priced in a mono-culture economy where the government and people believe (at least Government dependency and the support financial institutions give to that sector informs such belief) that any business outside of oil is a waste of time.

This can be seen in the number of filling stations that open on our roads everyday. Oil has brought on us a culture of ease and speed and whatever would not yield money immediately is not worth a second thought.

So, many venture areas of yesteryears have been abandoned in the pursuit of Petronaira. In fact, many of the cash-trees and shrubs that sustained livelihoods in times past are getting extinct.

Aside those that can still be found in the wilds and plantations raised during colonial and post-civil war times, very few people are growing new trees today.

However, we need to disabuse our minds of these oil-centred inclinations because there are still other resources that can provide viable livelihood for diverse classes of people across the country.

At a conference on alternative sweeteners recently, of utmost concern to the participants was the near-extinct status of the plant, (thaumatococcus danielli), which contains an alternative sweetening component that could rake in cash for the country when commercially exploited.

So, there are many alternatives to fossils and excavations for the economic empowerment of Nigerians.

One of the areas where the astute businessman can capitalise on the contemporary quest for lifestyle products is in the production of alternative milks.

Lifestyle fads on healthy living and eating spell that many traditional products are giving way to alternatives that are considered healthier. The belief that” You are what you eat” is opening doors to ‘new’ products that are spawning cash for those responding to these trends through production.

Many people living with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are advised to stay off sugar and fatty foods and embrace healthier alternatives found in fruits, vegetables and nuts.