Oil Palm Producers Target N2m Annually From Free Seedlings

The National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) has unveiled plans to empower youths and women across 24 states of the Federation with free 20 oil palm seedlings.

The beneficiaries are expected to start generating a minimum of N2 million yearly from each hectare of the palm tree starting from the third year of planting over a period of 50 years.

The aim of the association is to plant 10 million palm trees across the 24 oil palm producing states and to achieve this each household would be provided with 20 free oil palm seedlings.

The National President, NPPAN, Alphonsus Inyang, while speaking on activities of the association in Abuja, solicited partnership from relevant youth and women organisations, urging them to be part of the 10 million oil palm seedlings distribution programme.

According to Inyang, when planted, palm trees can be harvested up to 50 years as one hectare of palm trees and a minimum profit of N2 million can be generated yearly from the third year.

He mentioned that the expansion programme would set in motion, the economic prosperity of young Nigerians and women in the development of oil palm plantations and estates across the country.”

Inyang however maintained that their plan is to empower and train youth organisations by providing them with access to inputs, credit facilities and linking them with relevant government and development agencies to set them on a journey of economic prosperity forever through the establishment of the oil palm estates or plantations in their different states.

To resuscitate the lost fortune of the oil palm industry, NIPAN President called on development partners, multilateral agencies, and development financial institutions to partner with the association in the oil palm expansion programme.