How Pumpkin Puts Money In Many Farmers’ Pockets In Kano

“Pumpkin farming in Kano State has evolved into a lucrative enterprise driven by high demand. Farmers like Alhaji Garba Adam have shifted focus due to increased market interest, likening it to discovering a hidden treasure. Despite challenges in storage facilities, the Yankaba market witnesses robust trade, with pumpkins fetching high prices ranging from N2,000 to N5,000. The surge in demand is fueled by its nutritional and medicinal benefits, catering not only to local markets but also neighboring countries like Niger and Cameroon, ensuring a bustling trade environment during peak seasons. Source: Daily Trust

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Pumpkin farming in Kano State has evolved significantly, driven by increasing demand and its recognized nutritional and medicinal benefits. Farmers like Alhaji Garba Adam from Takai Local Government Area have shifted their focus to pumpkin cultivation due to its lucrative returns. Musa Zangina described pumpkin farming as akin to discovering a hidden treasure, highlighting its untapped potential.
Despite the growth in demand, challenges persist, particularly in storage facilities, which hinder the sector’s expansion. At the Yankaba vegetable market, Alhaji Auwalu Aliyu noted the widespread appeal of pumpkins, both within Nigeria and neighboring countries like Niger and Cameroon. The market experiences robust activity, with up to five trucks loaded daily during peak production seasons, catering to various regions.
Major pumpkin-producing areas in Nigeria include Katsina, Zaria, parts of Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kano. Prices for pumpkins have surged, with smaller sizes commanding around N2,000 per unit and larger ones fetching between N3,500 and N5,000. This demand surge at the Yankaba market underscores pumpkins’ popularity for both culinary and medicinal purposes, reflecting their growing importance in regional markets.