‘Ongoing Reforms in Agric Sector Boosting Oil Palm Cultivation in Edo’

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration’s reforms in the agriculture sector is boosting oil palm cultivation in the state, noting that Edo State with the cultivation of 120,000 hectares, has the largest oil palm plantation under cultivation in Nigeria.

The governor said this during a courtesy visit by members of the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON) at the Government House, Benin City.

He commended POFON for collaborating with the state government, adding, “We have the largest oil palm plantation under cultivation. We put under cultivation up to 250,000 hectares of land for oil palm. Today, we are approaching about 120, 000 hectares. We have about 70,000 and now about 45,000 hectares at the Orhionmwon-axis.

“You have been very helpful in our early days in government to rethink agriculture in the state. The partnership has helped us grow to this point. We have committed some portions of our land for the cultivation of oil palm in the state.”

According to him, “Nigeria did well without crude oil and agriculture drove the growth and development, as both small and large plantation owners drove the growth at that time.

“The large plantation owners did well and we focused more on them as they prepared a large expanse of land for farming cash crops as smaller holders don’t have that capacity. They have access to knowledge and resources to help us introduce the new standard for agriculture.”

On his part, the Managing Director of PRESCO, Felix O. Nwabuko commended the governor for his foresight, as the oil palm sector has witnessed significant growth under his administration.