Standing beside the piles of dark red palm fruits ready for crushing for their essence, Nigerian farmer Micah Ojo hopes to cash in on the government's drive to revive the country's once-thriving palm oil business.
Nigeria's government is on a drive to revive the country's once thriving palm oil businessOKOMU - Standing beside the piles of dark red palm fruits ready for crushing for their essence, Nigerian farmer Micah Ojo hopes to cash in on the government's drive to revive the country's once thriving palm oil business.
Several states, including southern Edo and Akwa Ibom, where roads are lined by hectares of dark green palm trees and moribund factories, are injecting new life into the sector. Graham Hefer, managing director of Okomu Oil Palm Company, says logistical and infrastructure problems are hindering growthAt Okomu Oil Palm Company in Edo state, there are three palm and rubber plantations sitting on over 33,000 hectares of land, partly funded by a 14-billion-naira loan.
Nigeria, the world fifth largest palm oil producer, consumes around two million tonnes of palm oil per yearHefer said the big players like Okomu account for just 30 percent of local production, while small growers represent 70 percent.One mill is in operation, while the second is due for commissioning this month and the third expected to come on stream next year.- Small players struggle -
Ojo, the local farmer, told AFP lack of investment was hurting his business, which is just a few kilometres from the sprawling Okomu plant.
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