23/04/2014 (The Punch) - The Edo State Government said on Wednesday in Benin that more than 200,000 jobs would be created from oil palm production by 2015.

Mr Abdul Oroh, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the oil palm value chain would create opportunities for industrial growth.

He said, “As a labour intensive crop, oil palm is a major employer of labour; our aspiration is that by 2015, oil palm sector will employ at least 200,000 youths.

“The state will achieve this with the cultivation of an additional 100,000 hectares annually, to enhance jobs and wealth creation.”

According to the commissioner, oil is native to West Africa and well adapted to the ecology of Nigeria, particularly that of Edo.

“We will vigorously pursue the provision of social infrastructure in the rural communities to enhance easy movement of farm produce.

“We will also encourage, support and promote setting up of oil palm processing mills in the areas that are not distant from major plantations,” he said.

He further explained that the sector would increase the revenue generation of the state.