By Victor Essang
Nigeria’s first Jackfruit Cottage Industry has been commissioned in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, marking a significant step towards developing the jackfruit value chain, creating rural livelihoods and mainstreaming inclusive social enterprise into biodiversity conservation.
The facility was established in October 2025 by the Women in Nature Conservation Organisation (WINCO) as part of the livelihood component of its project, supported by the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP-GEF-SGP).
Its commissioning formed part of WINCO’s weeklong Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Project Close-Out, Knowledge Management and Lessons Learnt Workshop, which brought together the UNDP-GEF-SGP team, government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, women entrepreneurs and community stakeholders.
Among the guests were the National Coordinator and Programme Assistant of the UNDP-GEF-SGP Nigeria, Dr. Ibironke Olubamise and Ms. Rose John.
The event was chaired by Dr. Iniabasi Adiakpan, immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs in Akwa Ibom State, member of the WINCO Board of Trustees and Adviser to the Governor on Women Projects.
In her keynote address, Adiakpan stressed the importance of empowering women and supporting community-based initiatives that transform local resources into sustainable economic opportunities.
She commended the consistency and innovative drive of WINCO’s visioner, Mrs. Emem Umoh, and the organisation’s partners for combining environmental conservation, agricultural production, women’s economic empowerment and value addition.
Adiakpan affirmed her commitment to supporting WINCO’s jackfruit innovations and declared her readiness to establish a jackfruit plantation.
WINCO Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Emem Umoh, presented an overview of the project, highlighting its achievements, experiences and lessons learnt during implementation.
She said five jackfruit products had been trademarked, received export certifications and obtained NAFDAC approval, describing the development as a first in Nigeria.
According to her, the project also contributed to the conservation of the Stubb’s Creek Forest ecosystem through the targeted planting of 25,000 trees on a degraded 160-hectare area. An additional 10 hectares has been allocated by the Ministry of Environment for jackfruit plantation development to strengthen the raw-material base and enhance climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation.
The cottage industry is designed to transform jackfruit from an underutilised crop into a source of income, employment and enterprise for women and rural communities.
The facility is linked to WINCO’s development of jackfruit-based products, with five products in 10 pack sizes certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
The initiative is expected to create opportunities for processing, value addition, skills development and market expansion for jackfruit farmers, processors and women entrepreneurs.
Another highlight of the programme was the commissioning of the project’s second livelihood activity — a pilot poultry training farm for women, designed to equip beneficiaries with practical skills in poultry production and enterprise development.
Four outstanding community women champions were also recognised and presented with certificates for successfully completing three months of training in jackfruit processing and for their contributions to the project and their communities.
The Women-Led Jackfruit Innovations Cooperative Society was equally commissioned to strengthen collaboration among women participating in the jackfruit value chain and provide a platform for collective production, processing and marketing.
The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Nsikak Ekong, congratulated WINCO and its partners, noting that the project provided opportunities to advance sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.
As part of its stakeholder engagement, the project team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Rt. Hon. Inibehe Silas Etukudo.
Etukudo appreciated the UNDP-GEF-SGP team and commended WINCO for pioneering the jackfruit value chain in the country, noting that the initiative had raised awareness and added value to an underutilised fruit.
She pledged her support for replicating the initiative through the wives of Akwa Ibom State local government chairmen to enhance grassroots impact across the state. She also noted that the initiative aligns with the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno.
The Traditional Rulers Council of Esit Eket, led by the Paramount Ruler and represented by the Clan Head of Eket Offiong, HRH Eteidung Ikot, also received the UNDP-GEF-SGP team.
The traditional institution later joined stakeholders at the cottage industry and expressed support for initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting community development.
The programme also featured a presentation on export opportunities by Mr. Idorenyin Essien, State Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
Essien highlighted opportunities in international markets for non-oil exports, particularly locally processed agricultural products. He stressed the importance of quality, standardisation, certification, packaging and compliance with export requirements.
He expressed optimism about the export potential of WINCO’s NAFDAC-certified jackfruit products and provided participants with practical insights into developing products for wider domestic and international markets.
A strategic meeting of the WINCO Board of Trustees and key stakeholders also focused on upscaling and replicating the initiative.
Goodwill messages were received from BOT member Rev. Mmaruwen Edo and partner organisations and stakeholders, including Tropical Forest Garden and TENEF; GIHON Sustainable Agriculture Initiative; Nature Thrive Youth Care Foundation; Little Light Women and Children Initiative; Biodiversity Rescue Club/GLFx Calabar; Aniedi Inyang Foundation, GLFx Uyo; Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Development Network (WEPON); FMHDI; and members of the WINCO family.
Stakeholders commended WINCO for creating a platform that integrates environmental conservation, women’s empowerment, agricultural innovation and community development.
According to WINCO, more than 3,000 community women were trained, while 33 women were directly empowered in the local processing of jackfruit products, including chips, seed powder, soup thickener, wine and swallow.
The beneficiaries shared with the UNDP-GEF-SGP team the economic, health and social benefits they had derived from jackfruit processing for themselves, their families and their communities.
WINCO said the project was designed not only to promote jackfruit production and processing but also to demonstrate how underutilised flora and agricultural resources could be integrated into sustainable livelihood programmes.
The organisation said the close-out of the current intervention marked the beginning of a broader effort to develop the jackfruit value chain across Nigeria.
It disclosed that it had commenced pilot supplies of 100,000 jackfruit seeds to Cross River and Ondo states for nursery establishment and plantation development through the GEF-supported FOLUR project.
WINCO added that the next phase would build on the knowledge, skills, partnerships and infrastructure developed through the project, with greater emphasis on production, processing, enterprise development, market access and the empowerment of women and rural communities.
Discussion about this post