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Nigeria: FG to Distribute Seedlings to 30,000 Oil Palm Farmers
Nigeria: FG to Distribute Seedlings to 30,000 Oil Palm Farmers
09/09/2013 (AllAfrica.com) - The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has unveiled plans to distribute improved seedlings to 30,000 oil palm farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme.
According to a release signed by Nwokike Brendan of the ministry's information department, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote said the plans will ensure that each oil palm farmer receives 50 improved tenera oil palm seedlings in the field, two litres of herbicide, 75kg of N:P:K-Mg (12:12:17:2) fertilizer, and 50 pieces of wire collar.
Mrs. Odusote who was represented by Uche Nwafor, Regional Director South East of the ministry disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the preparatory meeting for 2013 Special Oil Palm Growth Enhancement Support (GES) roll-out held at Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin City, Edo State, said the Ministry set a target of raising 9 Million improved tenera oil palm seedlings.
She said the ministry had already made 4 million seedlings which are to benefit smallholders as well as estates who received free nuts to raise and expand their plantations.
She disclosed that the seedlings were raised by 49 public and private nursery operators in 24 oil palm growing states, adding that the distribution of the improved seedlings to farmers will commence immediately under the Special Oil Palm GES to plant new areas and expand existing holdings.
She emphasized that the success of the 2013 Special Oil Palm GES rests squarely on all the stakeholders, adding that the Regional Directors/ATA Directors have the responsibility to coordinate the operations in the states in liaison with the State Ministry officials to decide on the date for their roll-out, and mobilize farmers for active participation in the redemption exercise.
According to a release signed by Nwokike Brendan of the ministry's information department, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote said the plans will ensure that each oil palm farmer receives 50 improved tenera oil palm seedlings in the field, two litres of herbicide, 75kg of N:P:K-Mg (12:12:17:2) fertilizer, and 50 pieces of wire collar.
Mrs. Odusote who was represented by Uche Nwafor, Regional Director South East of the ministry disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the preparatory meeting for 2013 Special Oil Palm Growth Enhancement Support (GES) roll-out held at Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin City, Edo State, said the Ministry set a target of raising 9 Million improved tenera oil palm seedlings.
She said the ministry had already made 4 million seedlings which are to benefit smallholders as well as estates who received free nuts to raise and expand their plantations.
She disclosed that the seedlings were raised by 49 public and private nursery operators in 24 oil palm growing states, adding that the distribution of the improved seedlings to farmers will commence immediately under the Special Oil Palm GES to plant new areas and expand existing holdings.
She emphasized that the success of the 2013 Special Oil Palm GES rests squarely on all the stakeholders, adding that the Regional Directors/ATA Directors have the responsibility to coordinate the operations in the states in liaison with the State Ministry officials to decide on the date for their roll-out, and mobilize farmers for active participation in the redemption exercise.