It is believed that the species can only grow on Nsukka soil. For this reason, hundreds of farmers in the area have continued to channel their resources to the crop, thereby making fortunes out of it as the Nsukka yellow pepper is so much sought after, attracting buyers from every part of the country.
The farmers recently got a boost from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the nation’s apex bank shortlisted 600 of them for its agricultural loan scheme setting the stage for the emergence of new set of millionaires from the area.
Director General, Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Mr. Dan Oche, at a meeting with farmers in Nsukka, said the aim was to produce the yellow pepper in commercial quantity in which about 80 per cent of it would be exported to Europe and America.
He disclosed that the chamber had acquired several hectares of land in Uzowani Local Government Area, and each of the 600 farmers will be given a hectare to cultivate the yellow pepper.