LACK of improved oil palm seedlings, inadequate fertiliser and low adherence to field maintenance practices have been attributed as some of the factors bedeviling the oil palm industry by the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.The Minister, who regretted a period whereby oil palm being an economic crop dominated Nigeria's economy, stated that in the early 60's, Nigeria was the world's largest producer and exporter of palm produce, recording highest average production share of 39 per cent between 1961 to 1965, which later fell to 11 per cent between 1980 to 1987 and presently dropping to seven per cent.He was however optimistic that in the next four years, Nigeria would not only be self sufficient in vegetable oil production, but would also be a net exporter of the produce.The Minister stated this at the inauguration and the first meeting of the forum of Stakeholders on Oil Palm Transformation Value Chain, convened to design and present a feasible and sustainable model for the oil palm industry.He disclosed that Nigeria spend $500 million yearly to import 300 tonnes of palm oil, a situation he described as 'unacceptable'.For better enhancement, Adesina stressed the need to deepen organised plantings by small holders and estates, which presently is only 360,000 hectares or less than 15 per cent of total area under oil palm, so as to improve the yields which are respectively on the average of six metric per hectare by small holders and 10 metric per hectare.Speaking through a director in the office of the permanent Secretary, Mr. John Oseni, he said farmers and other stakeholders must make use of available technologies including the value chain approach to transform the industry, adding that the unproductive palms must be replaced with improved high yielding varieties in order to address low production of the crop.He stressed the importance of Research Institutes in producing improved and quality planting materials or seedlings, calling on Nigeria Institutes for Oil Plantation and Research (NIFOR) to collaborate with reputable Institutes in Malaysia and Indonesia to develop higher yielding varieties.The minister tasked 24 oil palm producing States to assist in creating access to land for expansion and provide other infrastructure for the attainment of gainful employment, wealth and food security.He added that the Federal Government intended to drive the oil palm value chain agenda along with State governments to ensure resounding success.He explained that an oil palm marketing corporation would be established in partnership with the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) to drive the value chain. He pointed that the organisation would be run by private initiatives.'To enhance the marketing drive, the government will help in establishing the oil palm marketing corporation to be run by the private sector. We expect significant collaboration between Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA) and this ministry in promoting oil palm marketing activities.' He added.In an interview with newsmen, National President of Oil Palm Growers Association, Hillary Igwe, decried government's insincere attitude in addressing plethora of problems bedeviling the oil palm sector.Igwe observed with dismay the abandonment of oil palm production by the youth, calling on the government to provide credit facility and harvesters to the oil palm farmers to boost its production in the next four years.
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