Farmer Urges Govt To Invest In Rubber Plantation

A rubber farmer in Delta,
Mr James Onovughakpor, has urged the state and local governments to invest in rubber planting to boost the production of the crop..
Onovughakpor, who owns a rubber plantation in Edjekota, Ughelli North Local Government Area, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Asaba recently..
He said the cultivation of rubber could contribute immensely to the growth of the wealth of the state which was now diversifying its economy through the “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative.
The farmer noted that rubber plantations would be a rich source of raw materials for industries and for export.
He noted that over the years, attention had been shifted from rubber and other natural resources which could attract foreign investors to the state.
He said that in the olden days, most farmers were able to send their children to school and even build houses with the proceeds they got from the cultivation of rubber.
“But today, nobody is interested in the cultivation of rubber because of the presence of oil in Delta, forgetting that one day the oil wells will dry up,” the farmer said.
Onovughakpor therefore, called on the state and local governments to encourage rubber farmers with some incentives to enable them to boost production.
He also called on the state government to establish rubber processing industries, especially in communities where the product is cultivated.
The farmer also said the establishment of the industries would also create jobs for the people, especially those in the rural areas.
He further called for the training of farmers in order to ensure better yields.