Most Nigerians see plantain stems as waste; this woman sees raw material. I recently visited a Nigerian entrepreneur who has built an unusual business around something most farmers and households simply throw away - plantain and banana stems. From these agricultural leftovers she produces hair extensions, bags, pillows, shoes, ropes, table mats, ribbons and several other products.
What caught my attention was the idea behind the business: agriculture doesn't end with planting, harvesting and selling food - there is money in the waste, processing, manufacturing, packaging and distribution that happen after the farm. I documented the full story on video. Would you buy a wig or bag made from plantain fibre? And how many other valuable businesses are Nigerians throwing away every day without realising it? (Three photos of the products.)
