Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, says Nigeria is ready to partner with Indonesia and other stakeholders to revive the country’s oil palm sub-sector to enhance food and nutrition security, job creation, export opportunities among others.
Speaking during a meeting with Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pahala Nugraha Mansury and other critical stakeholders in the sub-sector in Abuja, recently, Abdullahi pointed out that food security was the top priority on President Bola Ahmed Tibunu’s eight (8) point’s agenda, hence the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate and partner with Indonesia to boost the oil palm value chain.
Stating that the new focus has huge potential for economic growth and wealth creation, the Minister said that the forum would create a platform for identifying possible areas of collaboration and partnership between both countries and to explore the vast economic opportunities that abound within them.
According to him: “We have big space to accommodate investors and farmers who are ready to work with us to take the oil palm as a commodity to the next level of economic growth and development.”
Abdullahi noted that the best solution for Nigeria’s import substitution was to have an export driven strategy that will not only boost food security and reduce poverty but also bring about sustainable economic development.
He mentioned other areas of collaboration, such as Capacity Building and Research Development, among others. He also urged stakeholders not to relent on their efforts towards repositioning the sub sector to greater heights.
Earlier in his presentation, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Mr Pahala Nugraha Mansury stated that palm oil does not only boost food security but agricultural development which would alleviate poverty and increase the income of smallholder farmers.
He outlined the areas of collaboration to include Palm Agriculture, Research and Economic Development Cooperation, as well as facilitated private sector investors in both countries.
He expressed optimism that with robust cooperation between both countries, Nigeria could become a member of Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) as it has all the potential.
In his remarks, the Andoma of Doma, Nasarawa State, Alhaji. Dr. Ahmadu Aliyu commended the Ministry in its efforts to boost food security in the country in line with the renewed hope agenda.
He also urged the National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) to encourage Nigerians to plant 5-20 palm trees at their various homes.
In his contribution, the President, NPPAN, Dr Alphonsus Inyanga, stated that the Association is not only focusing on plantation but on population of palm trees at household and community levels for Nigerians to partake of the prosperity that comes from palm oil.
He also appealed to the Indonesian government to partner in the area of processing technology, supply chain facilities, and storage.
In attendance were Ambassador of Indonesia, members of the National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria, and other relevant stakeholders.
