By Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of State, for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, has expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Republic of Indonesia and other stakeholders to revive the country’s oil palm sub sector to enhance food and nutrition security, job creation and export opportunities for Nigerians.
The Minister stated this during a meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Pahala Nugraha Mansury and other critical stakeholders in the sub sector in Abuja, recently.
The Minister pointed out that food security was the top priority on President Bola Tibunu’s eight (8) point’s agenda and as such the Ministry is ready to collaborate and partner with the Government of Indonesia to boost the oil palm value chain because of its huge potential for economic growth and wealth creation among others.
He said that the forum would create a platform for identifying possible areas of collaboration and partnership between both countries and to explore the vast economic opportunities that abound within them.
In his words: “We have big space to accommodate investors and farmers who are ready to work with us to take the oil palm as a commodity to the next level of economic growth and development”.
Sen, Abdullahi noted that the best solution for Nigeria’s import substitute was to have an export driven strategy that will not only boost food security and reduce poverty but also bring about sustainable economic development.
Other areas of collaboration that he mentioned include: capacity building and Research Development (R/D) among others.
He urged stakeholders not to relent on their efforts towards repositioning the sub sector to greater heights.
Earlier in his presentation, the Vice Minister, stated that palm oil does not only boost food security but agricultural development which would alleviate poverty and increase the income of small holder farmers.
He outlined the areas of collaboration to include Palm Agriculture, Research and Economic Development Cooperation, as well as facilitated private sector investors in both countries.
He expressed optimism that with robust cooperation between both countries, Nigeria could become a member of Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) as it has all the potential.
In his remarks, the Andoma of Doma, Nasarawa State, Alhaji. Dr. Ahmadu Aliyu commended the ministry in its efforts to boost food security in the country in line with the renewed hope agenda.
He also urged the National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) to encourage Nigerians to plant 5-20 palm trees at their various homes.
In his contribution, the President, NPPAN, Dr. Alphonsus Inyanga, stated that the Association is not only focusing on plantation but on population of palm trees at household and community levels for Nigerians to partake of the prosperity that comes from palm oil.
He also appealed to the Indonesian government to partner in the area of processing technology, supply chain facilities, and storage.
In attendance were Ambassador of Indonesia, Members of the National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria, and relevant stakeholders, among others.