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Minister tasks stakeholders on repositioning Nigeria as top palm oil exporter

Harvested oil palm fruits.

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Abubakar, has tasked stakeholders on the need to reposition Nigeria to its rightful position as top exporter of palm oil.

The minister made the call when he received a delegation of stakeholders of the proposed conference on Nigeria oil palm led by its convener, Fatai Afolabi, in Abuja.

Abubakar recalled that, “In the early 60s, Nigeria’s agriculture sector was the major source of revenue; but today, the country is struggling to be a big agricultural nation. It is not too late for Nigeria to reposition itself.”

He also reminded that Malaysia came to Nigeria some years back, got oil palm seedlings and became number one producers of oil palm in the world, and today Nigeria is ranked the 5th position, which makes it worrisome.

“Rice, Cassava and Yam are top priorities in the agricultural sector, I urged the stakeholders to use the summit to think, plan ahead and develop a policy that would put Nigeria back on track,” he said.

The minister cautioned that it was not just proposing to have a summit but a lot of thinking and planning must be carried out to avoid past mistakes, and pledged to work with any organisation to achieve the federal government’s economic diversification policy.

He commended the stakeholders for their efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s oil palm, assuring that the ministry would collaborate and give necessary assistance to ensure oil palm sub-sector strives.

In the early 60s, Nigeria’s agriculture sector was the major source of revenue; but today, the country is struggling to be a big agricultural nation. It is not too late for Nigeria to reposition itself.

In his remarks, Afolabi said oil palm is one of the most important tree crops in the country, being a means of livelihood, fuel and raw materials for industries.

He said the Summit would be a forum for stakeholders and relevant organisations to deliberate, synergise, and initiate measures that would move the oil palm industry to its peak.

He said the proposed oil palm would also enable stakeholders to identify business models as well as opportunities for international partners.

In a related development, the Minister received the delegation of FrieslandCampina Wamco, led by the Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Ore Famurewa.

Famurewa said the company would continue to partner with the Ministry to improve quality of locally produced milk, capacity training for smallholder dairy farmers in the modern technologies on how to boost production and increase their earnings.

She, therefore, solicited the Minister’s assistance towards securing about 200 to 300 hectares of land in Abuja for the company’s future projects. (NAN)

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