Edo To Increase Palm Oil Production

Edo State government plans to double the production of palm oil from 850,000 tonnes to 1.70 million tonnes in the next two years.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Abdul Oroh announced this in an interview with newsmen in Auchi.

Oroh said the production of cocoa would also be increased by 50 per cent from 56,000 tonnes to 112,000 tonnes.

He said that as part of efforts to achieve 100 per cent increase in oil palm production, 75,000 palm seedlings were being nursed in various parts of the state.

Oroh said the seedlings would be distributed to farmers at “a highly subsidised rate’’.

He said that crops such as rubber, cassava, sugar cane and rice, in which the state has comparative advantage, were also being given attention.

The commissioner said the move was part of the state government’s programmes to key into the Federal Government Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

He said that in addition to boosting the production of the crops, job opportunities would be created for the teaming unemployed youths.

“We are looking at the opportunity of expanding oil palm, cocoa, rubber, rice, cassava and sugar cane production in the state.

“We are not saying that we are no longer interested in other crops, but we are looking at areas, where we can make the biggest impact and create jobs.’’

Oroh said the state government would not be directly involved in the project, but would create the necessary environment for the result to be achieved.

“We will be encouraging small scale farmers in this regard. We are looking at the possibility of assisting them with farm inputs, loans and other necessary facilities to succeed.”