NPPAN inaugurates executives in Anambra, unveils plan to plot

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), on Friday, inaugurated an executive in Anambra State with a call for partnership to launch a project of plating 20 palms trees across households.

The National Secretary, NPPAN, Mr Kayode Olatola, who stated this at inauguration of Anambra State chapter of the association in collaboration with ALPHA Palm City Limited, explained that investing in oil palm was gainful.

According to him, oil palm production creates employment across sectors, including health, fashion and beauty, food, security and industries.

"We are free to partner with all the stakeholders that will make it possible. Anambra State government may have to come in for it fastest implementation across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) through the three Senatorial zones.

"We will also acquire lands for production of nursery to be shared to members. With oil palm, you stands to gain in various ways because it has over 70% gains. Nothing about it is a loss. The palm tree, fronds, sticks, leaves, kernel, oil, etc.," he added.

Also speaking, the Southeast Zonal Vice President, NPPAN, Dr Lynda Onubuogu, called on Igbo leaders to degelop interest in palm oil production, which according her, was birthed in the region.

"There is no Igbo family without an oil palm. We can learn to cultivate, nurture and make it work again. Oil palm production will restore the pride of Igbo nation. It is used for everything. The economy values are numerous. It brings generational wealth. You don't need to have land to invest in it," she assured.

On her part, the Chairman, ALPHA Palm City Limited, Mr Aniemeka Alpha Daniels, represented by the Vice, Mrs Aniemeka Gloria, assured that the agro based estate would help the association realise its dream of making every household in the State own 20 oil palms and land.

" Agriculture is one of the ways of renewing the hope of Nigerian economy. As agro based real estate, we have landed property planted with oil palms across the 21 LGAs. We are ready to give them out to people ready to partner with us. All you need is to be financially disciplined. We can plant and nurture it for you for one year or more if you wish to," she noted.

Contributing, the former Vice President of the association in the region, Mr Cyprian Igwe, urged the newly inaugurated leaders to move to communities and wards to encourage and empower them to invest in palm oil production.

In acceptance speech, the State Chairperson, Ifeyinwa Onweluzo, said they would work together to replace local tall palm trees with improved seedlings (the dwarf ones), as well as teach people how to take good care of palm plantations by clearing bushes and intercrop with other economic trees/plants like cashew, cocoa, and coffee.

"Our youths will be empowered with palm seedlings through our big boys in various committees. Establishments, offices, churches, industries, parks and empty plots will be filled up with hybrid palm that will mature in three years. We will also introduce the idea of one family twenty palm which will take effect by the next farming raining season," she stated.

Earlier speaking, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Forester Ihejiofor, described oil palm produce as a major value chain needed to drive the economy of the world.

"The private sector and public sector will come into this if well informed. I will encourage you to write our Governor with your request. He will be willing to invest in your project especially if you form a cooperative society. Anambra State is a viable state for oil palm to operate. You need mechanised agricultural tools to thrive," he stated.