By Abosede Ajala
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Nowadays, the sales of some food items have gone beyond the old traditional way of packaging. Sometimes consumers preferred hygienic over quantity in whatever they are buying and marketers seized the advantage to move food across the border after discovering that other countries are lacking such.
The Nigerians abroad still preferred their food to others, that is the garri, pupuru, lafun, elubo, grounded pepper, ogbono, egusi, grounded grayfish, Nigerian rice, stock fish (panla) etc. Consumer within the country, the working class or at times the bankers do not really have time going for shopping at the market, an average class of workers prefers to shop at the mall, supermarkets etc., where they can get goods in well packaged manner, hence, the repackaging of some food and food items. Taking the repackaged garri, pupuru, grounded egusi, grayfish (ede) etc., to offices is a way of caving a niche for oneself.
An entrepreneur does not end at production or rendering services alone, but can equally repackage already made consumables as earlier discussed. I came across a company recently along Ilesha-Ibadan road, and I was amazed. Their packages ranges from 2kg -50kg of processed (fried) garri, just like the packaging of rice, wheat, flour etc., these are now being exported outside the country while you can also buy in the company/market. Although, the company went through all the stages in the garri business. The idea is to be different, unique and majorly carve a niche, instead of been idle.
Packaging can either be in Nylon bags or cotton – beans bag or rice bag. The measured sizes of different bags and the sealing of the bags to avoid contaminations are essential, sealing machine can be gotten from the market. Needles and threads can also be used to neatly sew the bags mouth with a fine chain stitch.
The stages in repackaging garri, pupuru, yam flour, grounded pepper etc,.
Locate the garri or others processing farm/market.
Get the different sizes of bags ranging from 1 or 2kg to 50kg.
Print your brand name on the bag for uniqueness.
The sealing machine or needles and threads will be involved at the final stage.
There are ready made market for all the package food items, because of its hygienic presentation.
In this era needless to start thinking of cassava farm before venturing into the market, though it can later result to it. Minimum of twenty thousand naira (#20,000.00) can be set aside for the capital towards the repackaging business.
The ideal way of preventing food poison is by protecting it, why not give it a try, buy processed foods or item and repackage it for sales. You will be glad you did, no more staying idle, nor calling people for alms or feeding on people like a parasite wake up, do something and contribute to the economic development of this state and the nation at large.
