FG Reiterates Support To Improve Palm Oil Production In Nigeria

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, August 27th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its resolve to improve farmers palm oil produce in the country.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, disclosed this in Enugu during a meeting organised by Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN).

Represented by the Deputy Director, Tree Crops, Mr Chukwuemeka Ukattah, the perm Secretary said that the meeting would avail stakeholders the opportunity to look into ways of improving yields.

According to him, oil palm value chain was among the commodity being promoted by the Federal Government under the diversification policy.

The permanent secretary stressed that under the policy, the objectives were to plant more improved palm trees, achieve import substitution and improve the productivity of farmers.

Umakhihe added that the policy is also aimed at supporting upstream and downstream processing activities in order to produce quality crude palm oil, vegetable oil products and create employment.

In a goodwill message, Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Mathew Idu, said that the programme was timely and in line with the policy to broaden government’s revenue base.

He stated that the state government was a major stakeholder in oil palm production, as the crop was the mainstay of Old Eastern Nigeria before the discovery of crude oil.

The commissioner urged the participants at the meeting to find a sustainable solution to the dip in palm oil production in the country.

Welcoming guest earlier, President National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), Mr Alphonsus Inyang, appealed to members of the association to take the business seriously.

Inyang said that oil palm business was a money spinner and capable of turning around the fortunes of the country.

He said that the essence of the meeting was to sensitise their members on how they could make fortunes leveraging on the oil palm business.

In a lecture, Dr. Philip Oviasogie, said that regular research needed to be carried out on a regular basis in order to improve palm seeds and others.