Anambra State governor elect, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has announced that his in-coming administration, as one of the ways of addressing the problem of poverty, will distribute over one million high yielding palm seedlings to 100,000 farmers in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Joe C Anatune. According to Anatune, each farmer will get 10 free seedlings that will start producing from 2 to 4 years. It is also estimated that in 4 years, the farmer would have gotten about 40 seedlings.
Anatune further noted that the programme will enable such household/farmer to escape from poverty and in the other hand, function as an empowerment programme not just for the farmers but thousands that will be involved in the value chain business.
The statement read, “Currently, 84% of global palm oil supply is shared between Indonesia and Malaysia. Nigeria, Columbia and others make up the remaining percentage. United States, China, India, EU and Pakistan are the biggest off takers.The global market value is 61.1 billion USA dollars. Apart from getting back to once again be a global player in this industry, Cee Cee Soludo wants to use the free distribution of high yielding Palm Seedlings to lift many households/farmers from the stranglehold of poverty.
“Soludo is guided in this by his belief that our greatness lies in our rich past. He is therefore picking up the pieces from where Dr. Michael Okpara’s administration stopped and his eyes are firmly focused on the entire value chain. So every year, his government will procure one million high yielding farm seedlings and distribute same free of charge to 100,000 farmers/households. Each farmer gets 10 free seedlings that start producing from 2- 4 years. It is estimated that in 4 years, the farmer would have gotten about 40 seedlings. This will adequately enable such household/farmer to escape from poverty. This will be an empowerment programme not just for the farmers but thousands that will be involved in the value chain business.
“Fortunately, palm oil demand continues to grow because it is the most versatile of all vegetable oils. Palm oil can be processed to a wide range of products with melting points, consistencies and characteristics. Global conglomerates such as Lever Brothers are noteable off takers of the products at the corporate level.
“However Quality consultant Mrs Ngozi Ekwueme counsels ,” as the seedlings are being distributed, the farmers should be trained on global gap requirements for safe crop. The ministry of Agriculture workers should also be trained to know what they should be doing in supervision. This will be able to make them keep track of all the fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals used in the plantation till havest time. This will ensure acceptance in the global market”
“The good news is that Soludo is rapidly demonstrating by his actions thus far that sound economics is excellent politics. So like the Anambra footwear industry, like the palm oil industry. More are coming our way as we journey to our Liveable and prosperous Anambra smart Megacity.”