Ondo Moves To Boost Oil Palm Production, Enters Into Agreement With Private Firm

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State government is intensifying effort to restore its lost revenue in oil palm business as the state synergizes with a private agricultural farm to boost palm oil production.

Secretary to the state government, Princess Oladunni Odu said in Akure that the state will not relent in giving unabated support to indigenous investors in its agribusiness sector, in order to secure its position as a leading producer of oil palm in Nigeria.

A statement by press officer in the SSG office, Debbie Funmilayo stated that Odu, made the remark while signing a memorandum of understanding between Ondo State government and Abbis Farms Nigeria Limited on the establishment and cultivation of 961 hectares of farmland for oil palm plantation in Ala Forest reserve, Ondo State.

Ala forest reserve is one of those plantations in the state that some farmers are accusing the government of forcefully ejecting them while bringing in foreigners.

The government scribe observed that the agreement was in line with the first Agenda of the Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN.

She commended the strategic move of Abbis Farms to invest in the development of oil palm plantation in the State, which will in turn serve as a dual benefit for food security and employment opportunity for all.

“With the increasing demand for oil palm in various industries such as food, cosmetics and biofuel, Ondo State government is glad to partner with reputable investors in large scale farming to ensure continued production of reliable and high-quality supply of the product”.

Charging the investor, Princess Odu harped on the importance of professionalism in the delivery of the project in order to meet the growing demands for the supply of oil palm in the state and  emphasized the need for the implementation of best practices to minimize deforestation.

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman Abbis Farms Nigeria Limited, Chief Abiodun Adejo, said the company has a long-term vision of sustainable agriculture and has carefully selected the region to maximize productivity.

The Chairman assured commitment to conserving the environment to facilitate oil palm propagation and promised dedication to remain a key contributor to the Red Gold agenda of the state.