2/2/06 (Sun Star)  -  THREE more towns in Sarangani province were identified as oil palm investment areas that could accommodate 80,000 hectares for the crop's cultivation.

In an investment promotion flier recently developed by the province, Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez identified the towns of Malungon, Kiamba, and Maitum as suitable for oil palm growing.

Provincial trade officials earlier only identified the capital town of Alabel as having 5,000 hectares of land appropriate for the cultivation of oil palm.

"In Sarangani, there is an 80,000-hectare potential land for oil palm plantation," Dominguez said.

The 80,000-hectare contiguous area is distributed among four municipalities: Malungon with 30,000 hectares and Alabel, Kiamba and Maitum with a combined area of 50,000 hectares.

Malungon is the only inland town of the province while the six others are coastal areas.

"The Provincial Government will assist investors throughout the planning, establishment, and maintenance of the oil palm plantation," Dominguez said.

He said nearly US$1 million, or around P54 million, is needed for the development of the 80,000 hectares of land in the four municipalities.

The amount includes the establishment of nursery station facilities in nine hectares and land preparation, among others.

Dominguez said the local government units are willing to raise at least half of the capital requirements, or P29 million.

The Provincial Government is opening up various lands in the area for oil palm cultivation owing to the vast potential of palm oil in the domestic market. (RBS)