Mix feelings trail Anambra oil palm importation

 

There seems to be diverse opinions on the recently action of Anambra state Government importing palm oil seedlings along with coconut from Malaysia.

Scientists at the seeds improvement registration and release have frowned at the one million palm oil improved seedlings being imported by Anambra state Government just as they queried how such could have happened without the consent of the National Research Institute for Oil Palm.

They also worried about the negative economic effects of such import on the economy, wondering if NIFOR is being carried along in such transaction.

Nearly all scientists and even farmers'representative at the 32nd national committee on Naming, Registration and Release of crop varieties, livestock breeds and fisheries headed by Prof. Olusoji Olufajo last month at Ibadan, Oyo state condemned this action of the Anambra state government.

The representative of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Olayiwola Agoro had called the attention of the committee to the implications of such import to the seeds system development in Nigeria, saying the issue must be taken so seriously against future occurrences.

All opinions including the one from the farmers'  representative Engr. Adeyinka who happens to be an oil palm farmer from Ogun state said that his national president was already on the matter. 

Also the representatives of the NASC and NAQS could not give any concrete position on whether the item were imported or not.

Food Farm News checks with the President of National Oil palm Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria Mr. Alphonsus Inyang could not confirmed categorically, but said they were both at Malaysia coconut international conference held last with the commissioner of agriculture of the state but added he left earlier to know whether such deal was struck.

Alphonso said that " The Commissioner joined us to Malaysia last November for International Coconut Community (ICC) Conference. We left him there after the event maybe that’s where he negotiated for them.

But we know that it’s not easy to get seeds there. We made efforts but the earliest they said they will supply us is 2024. If they have paid, I don’t think they can get them before next year. That’s what I think"

Recall that Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo in the national news paper precisely Daily Post has reported that the government had imported one million palm seedlings and same numbers for coconut.

The question in the lips of many stakeholders was why should the state embark on such import if our mandated research Institute has gotten the commercial production capacity to meet expected processing requirements and productivity required of a nation, adding that NIFOR should be supported with more fund to enhance production of improved seeds in their shelf to farmers.

Anambra state is anticipated to make over N160 billion yearly from palm oil and coconut investment, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Ibezim said at the 2023 farming season.