The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, has  reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to change the face of agriculture by making it attractive to large and small scale investors.

Adesina reaffirmed the government’s position at the inauguration of the Calaro, Ibiae and Biase Oil Palm Plantations in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River.

The joint venture project, will be managed by Wilmar International Limited in collaboration with PZ Cussons.

Adesina said in the oil palm value chain, many wrong things needed the right environment provided by the government and commitment of private sector operators to be corrected.

He said the goal of the ministry was to increase oil palm production, to satisfy local demand and for export, thereby increasing the productivity of farmers and creating employment.

Mr Gerald Adah, Special Adviser on Investment Promotion to Cross River Government, said a combined investment portfolio of various companies operating in the state was in excess of two billion dollars in the past five years.

Adah said more than 300 companies had also visited the state for business during the period.

He described the inauguration of the oil plantation as a major milestone in the vision of attracting foreign direct investment to the state and country.

Adah said in the past two years, the state government’s engagements with Wilmar had been through the acquisition of at least 50,000 hectares of agricultural land for the production and establishment of oil palm processing/refining facility at 400 million dollars.

He said the direct benefits to the state included the employment of 20,000 people on an average payroll of N3.2 billion annually.

He said there were out-growers support schemes for another 20,000, leveraging on the World Bank support and corporate social responsibility in terms of providing standard schools and hospitals for employees and host communities.