Taraba state is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, it is located in the Middle Belt region (Politically classified as a North Central state) and the state was created on the 27th of August, 1991. The capital of Taraba state is Jalingo and the nick name of the state is ‘Nature’s Gift to the Nation’. The languages that are generally spoken in the state are English, Tiv, and Hausa.
Taraba state shares border with Benue state, Plateau state and an international border with the Republic of Cameron. The major ethnic groups in Taraba state are Jukun, Tiv, Hausa, Fulani, Jenjo, Kuteb Chamba, Ichen, Ndoro, Kaka and Mumuyes people. A larger percentage of those in Taraba state are Christians, and the rest are Muslims and Traditional worshippers.
Farming, Fishing, carving, cloth weaving, cloth dyeing, mat making, cattle rearing, goat rearing, sheep rearing, pig farming, poultry farming, and rabbit breeding are the mainstay of the people in Taraba state. Cash crops cultivated in Taraba state are coffee, tea, cotton and groundnuts. The state is also notable for the cultivation of cassava, maize, millet, rice, yam and sorghum. The government is the largest employer of labor in the state and they are also working hard to make Taraba state a choice tourist destination in Nigeria.
With interesting tourist sites like Gumpti Park and Games Reserve in Gashaka, Mambilla Tourist Centre and the annual Nwunyu Fishing Festival in Taraba state, it is just a matter of time for tourists to start trooping to the state all through the year.
Now let us quickly consider the top ten business opportunities available in Taraba state;
10 Small Business Investment Opportunities in Taraba State
1. Commercial Fishing Business
Commercial fishing is one of the viable businesses an entrepreneur can start in Taraba state simply because of the many rivers in and around the state. People of the Jukun tribe in Taraba state are predominantly fishermen. As a matter of fact, the government of Taraba state is making serious effort to show the world that they celebrate fishing, hence the promotion of the annual Nwunyu fishing festival.
All you need to do to make it big in the fishing business in Taraba state is to plan beyond just fishing and selling it to local market women; you can dry the fish, package it properly and then transport it to other parts of the country and even neighboring West African countries.
2. Travels and Tours Business
If you are looking towards positioning a business for the future in Taraba state, then you should look towards setting up your own Travels and Tours Company in the state. Doing so will align you with the State Government’s long term goal of making the state a top tourist destination in Nigeria. Just ensure that you keep tab with Taraba state government program on tourism so that you will know how to effectively play your part.
3. Mat Making Cottage Company
Mat making Cottage Company is one of the businesses an entrepreneur can launch in Taraba state. Once you are successfully in launching this type of business in the state, you must ensure that you market your products to the Muslim community in the state and outside the state; they are the major users of mats in Nigeria.
4. Cattle, Sheep and Goat Rearing Business
Another thriving business an entrepreneur can successfully start in Taraba state is cattle, sheep and goat rearing business. It is cheaper to run this type of business in the state and the profit potential from cattle, sheep and goat rearing business is much especially if you know how to create new markets outside the state.
5. Poultry Farm
Poultry farming is yet another viable and highly profitable business an entrepreneur can launch in Taraba state. All you need to do to become successfully in this kind of business is to ensure that you put measure in place that will prevent the easy spread of bird diseases in your poultry farm. Of course the weather in Taraba state is ideal for poultry farming.
6. Coffee and Tea Farming Business
Coffee and tea farming is yet another profitable venture an entrepreneur can easily set up in Taraba state. The climatic condition and the soil composition are highly suitable for the cultivation of coffee and tea. So if you are interested in agriculture, you can consider starting your own coffee and tea plantation in Taraba state. The truth is that, the markets for Tea and coffee is not just restricted to Nigeria; if you have a good marking strategy in place, you can attract clients from Europe and other African countries.
7. Rice Production
Another crop that can easily grow in Taraba state is rice. So if you are looking towards owning an investment portfolio in the agric sector in Nigeria, then you should look towards going into rice production in Taraba state. Rice is a stable food that is consumed in all household in Nigeria and in most parts of the world.
8. Bakery Business
Bakery business is one of the businesses that an entrepreneur can setup in Taraba state and make good returns on their investment. All you need to do to make it big in this type of business is to ensure that you choose a location that is closer to a busy road in Taraba state to setup your bakery; Jalingo is ideal for this type of business. You can as well market your products to supermarkets in the state.
9. Carpentry Workshop
Carpentry is another business an entrepreneur can successfully launch in Taraba state. Although there are several carpentry shops in Taraba state, but if you want to carve a niche for yourself in the state, all you need to do is to open a standard carpentry workshop where people can learn the trade. Such schools aren’t found in Taraba state.
10. Business Centre
Another easy to setup business that an entrepreneur can setup in Taraba state is a business centre; a place where people can type and print documents, make photocopies, laminate their documents, send and receive fax, make phone calls and scan their documents. Jalingo the state capital is the most ideal place to setup this type of business.
There you have it; the top ten business opportunities in Taraba state.