By Asile Abel,Jos
The Plateau State
Government has partnered with Continental Oil Palm and Agric Services Consortium to lead the establishment of a 4000-hectare oil palm plantation in the state.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Bugama Samson Ishaku, represented by Hon. Ishaku Samalia Jilemsam, the Program Manager of the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme, highlighted the long-term benefits of oil palm production, stating that these trees can thrive for more than 50 years, providing sustainable advantages for decades.
“In oil palm production, when you plant these trees, they can survive for more than 50 years. So it’s an investment of 2-3 years of effort that yields benefits for over 40 years,” he explained.
Hon. Samalia emphasized the environmental advantages, noting that cultivating these crops contributes to carbon sequestration and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing climate change
“We are contributing to carbon credits in the environment because these plants sequester carbon. Therefore, we are also meeting SDG targets with this initiative.
The government’s approach involves thorough sensitization to generate interest from farmers before providing seedlings,” stated Hon. Samalia.
He also stressed the importance of securing markets for the produced goods to ensure economic viability and eliminate concerns regarding market availability
“Our priority is to secure the market, then establish an integration for every commodity we promote. We will ensure there is already a market, including for palm oil,” he added.
He also disclosed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has unveiled a comprehensive plan that goes beyond oil palm and encompasses coconut, banana, coffee, polonia, bamboo, avocados, and more.
The commissioner revealed that 3850 hectares would be utilized for cultivation, while 150 hectares would be reserved for a refinery, emphasizing the goal of producing finished goods locally.
Project Facilitator, Hon. Barr. Phillip Isa Nyitni, provided insights into the significant potential for job creation, particularly for the youth, estimating that over 10,000 jobs would be generated.
Regarding the export potential of oil, Barr. Phillip Isa Nyitni emphasized the need for stringent quality control to meet international standards.
“If you are going to produce for exports, there is a certain quality of your oil that you have to attain. So we are going to ensure we produce the quality that would be acceptable for exporting right from Plateau,” he affirmed.
Reginald Okereke discussed the commercial viability of the oil palm plantation for smallholder farmers,
while Engi. Samuel N. Nwogu delved into the intricacies of the processing plant.
In their goodwill messages, Justice Damulak and Hon. Lelep Dabang both applauded the government’s commitment to sustainable development through agriculture. Justice Damulak stated, “This venture marks a pivotal moment in our agricultural landscape, bringing prosperity and sustainability,” while Hon. Lelep Dabang commended the government’s dedication to sustainable development through agriculture.
