Plantains are a major group of banana varieties, serving as staple foods in many tropical areas. It is a versatile crop that can be consumed in different ways, including by boiling, roasting, frying, refining as flour, and converting it into plantain chips.
A plantain chip is a deep-fried, crispy, and crunchy snack made from ripe or unripe plantains. It is a common source of carbohydrates that contain some essential vitamins and minerals and are easily digestible; it is a good snack for weight control, high in antioxidants and good for the heart, and rich in fiber.
The consumption of plantain chips has risen tremendously in Nigeria in recent years because of the rapidly increasing urbanization and the great demand for easy and convenient foods by the non-farming urban populations. Besides being a staple for many people in more humid regions, plantain chips are a delicacy and favored snack for people even in other ecologies.
The main consumers of plantain chips are individuals and families, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. Besides, supermarkets, schools, hotels, restaurants, canteens, and corporate establishments all require plantain chips in significant quantities.
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STAGES ON HOW TO PROCESS PLANTAIN INTO PLANTAIN CHIPS
If you are looking for a business to start right away with little investment capital, the plantain chip business is one of them because it is profitable and very easy to start and operate through the following steps:
Wash the plantain and peel it neatly.
Using your vegetable slicer, slice the plantain into a bowl of water. The water is important because it will help to retain the color of the plantain.
Add salt
Drain the water using a sieve.
Add other ingredients of your choice, like ginger, garlic, and pepper, depending on your recipe.
Get your gas cooker ready.
Heat your vegetable oil in a frying pan.
Put your sliced plantains in the pan and start frying.
Allow it to cool before packing it into your branded packaging material.
INGREDIENTS FOR PLANTAIN CHIPS
It is advantageous to own a plantain farm or buy from the farmers directly as the main raw material. The important ingredients for plantain chips are:
Vegetable oil for frying
Salt to taste
Grinded Ginger
Onions
Grinded Garlic
EQUIPMENT FOR PLANTAIN CHIPS
Some of the equipment that is needed to start a plantain chip business is mostly kitchen utensils, which include
Gas stove
Plantain Chip Cutter
Deep Fryer
Big Bowl (basin)
Nylon Sealing Machine (portable one will do)
Sieve
Weighing Machine
HEALTH BENEFIT OF PLANTAIN CHIPS
Some of the benefits of plantain chips are:
Plantains are a carbon rich food and a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
They contain antioxidants that fight free radicals.
They support immune function.
Their vitamin E6 content may reduce cardiovascular risk and improve mood.
They are rich in fiber.
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WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR DOING A PLANTAIN CHIPS BUSINESS?
Plantain chips are a great source of quick food that does not require much knowledge to start.
Plantains are a nutritious food that is rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
It is a business that you can start from home without a shop, and all the equipment you need for it is in the kitchen.
Plantain chip production involves the use of very little equipment.
It is a source of employment that requires little knowledge.
The market for plantain chips is huge and has remained largely unsatisfied.
There is no barrier to entry.
Plantain chip has a long shelf life—between six months and one year.
CHALLENGES IN PLANTAIN CHIPS BUSINESS
Some of the challenges in the plantain chip business are:
Lack of experience
Inadequate infrastructure and power
Non-availability of raw material
Poor management of the supply chain
Marketing challenge
COST ANALYSIS FOR PLANTAIN CHIPS BUSINESS
Plantain Chips Production and Sale is a viable option and can be done with very little investment. If you want to start a plantain chip business, Plantain Chips business on a small scale level, you can do so with as little as ₦25,000 to ₦50,000.
It can also be done on a cottage scale, small scale, medium scale, or even large scale. A medium scale business will need a startup capital of ₦100,000 and a large scale business will need a start-up capital of about ₦500,000 to ₦1,000,000.
It can also be done on a cottage scale, small scale, medium scale, and even large scale. A medium scale business will need a startup capital of ₦100,000, while embarking on industrial scale production will require huge investment in equipment, which will include: motorized plantain slicers, deep stainless steel with mesh and burner, pedal type sealing machines, and weighing machines, with a start-up capital of about ₦1,000,000 to ₦5,000,000.
