Ebokpo Harps On Cross River's Oil Palm Sector Revamp
By Ebi COLLINS
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo has tasked stakeholders in the Oil Palm sub-sector to come up with a strategic framework that will reposition Cross River State as the agricultural hub of Nigeria's economy.
Ebokpo gave the charge in Calabar at a Stakeholders' consultative forum for oil palm subsector organized by the Multi-Stakeholder Committee for Cocoa, Coffee and Oil Palm Strategic Plan development in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development.
Coming on the heels of an earlier consultation of Cocoa and coffee Stakeholders at Ikom recently, the meeting was part of outlined activities of the committee geared towards achieving an inclusive Strategic Plan for the sector; a plan that will create wealth and drive sustainable development in the State.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Administration in the Ministry, Mr. Christopher Achong emphasized that the essence of the meeting was to receive inputs that will enrich the proposed Strategic document as His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu places a high premium on the involvement of critical stakeholders from the various value chains in order to enhance buy-in and ensure project sustainability.
He urged them to also make valuable contributions to the review of the out dated produce law while calling for funding suggestions for proposed projects in the Sector.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chairman of the Multi-Stakeholders Committee, Prof. Susan Ohen noted that the consultative meeting was one in the series of ongoing discussion with Stakeholders to secure the contributions of all crucial players in the Oil palm sector of the State.
The Chairman added that being a sector that has not received adequate attention in the past, the present administration is poised to accord it necessary impetus that will enable favourable competition with other states. She lauded the Governor for placing the people first in his agenda and the Commissioner for the huge committment and support the Committee has received so far.
Goodwill message was received from the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prof. John Shiyam and other key actors.
After series of presentations and break out sessions, the Stakeholders including members of the oil palm sub committee, Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN) , representatives of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) , J. B farms and Solidaridad, conducted a SWOT analysis ( strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of the oil palm sector and resolved to set the goal of enhancing production and productivity of oil palm in an environmentally, friendly and socially responsible manner that will sustainably meet the domestic and international demand for oil palm.
They also set the goal of generating new employment opportunities for women and youths across the oil palm value chain and establish MSMEs with clusters of plantations in order to produce fast moving consumer products from Oil palm, among other goals and Strategic objectives.
