Gov Okowa implores increased investment in agricultural development

To stop the mounting food scarcity in Nigeria, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged for increased investments in agricultural development.

He claimed that affluent Nigerians and Deltans may invest in oil palm production as a way to create jobs and advance the local economy.

The Peoples Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee, Okowa, made the decision on Friday after seeing an oil palm plantation and refinery that are now under development in the state's Oshimili North Local Government Area in Akwukwu-Igbo.

He said, “Four years ago, the management of Norsworthy Farms spoke to me when they were to commence and I thought it a worthy venture to have the state government stay supportive and in partnership with them to develop this oil palm plantation, now with a mill already being installed.

“Where we are now is quite interesting because we have had the opportunity to go round the one thousand four hundred hectares of land, all planted with oil palm seedlings that have grown so much; some are already producing.

“As a state government we believe in this worthy partnership because beyond the fact that it will help to grow the economy of this environment and also help the immediate communities that are around here, we are very mindful of the fact that it is going to generate a lot of employment for our people.

“I have been told that on average, 300 persons are working on a daily basis in this place and I believe that when the mill comes on stream, we are going to have more persons engaged.”

Okowa continued by saying that the relationship would increase outgrower prospects, particularly in the oil palm growth value chain, and he urged Deltans to seize the chance presented by the partnership.

He expressed his gratitude to the management and employees of Norsworthy Farms, the Obi of Akuku-Igbo, and the residents of Illah for their support and cooperation in ensuring the project's successful launch.

The governor was congratulated for his support and vision for the project by the managing director of Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries Limited, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie.

He claimed that more than 250,000 oil palm trees had been successfully planted on more than 1,400 hectares of land as part of the project, a joint venture between Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries Limited and the Delta State Government.

According to Ogbechie, the project will definitely help the nation's demand for food security and agricultural development.

Source