The federal government has unveiled plans to partner with the Republic of Indonesia and other stakeholders to revive the country’s oil palm sub-sector to enhance food and nutrition security, job creation and export opportunities among others.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullah, stated this yesterday during a meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Pahala Nugraha Mansury, and other critical stakeholders in the sub-sector.
He pointed out that food security was the top priority on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight-point agenda and as such the Ministry is ready to collaborate and partner with the Government of Indonesia to boost the oil palm value chain because of its huge potential for economic growth and wealth creation among others.
He 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.
“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,” he said.
Abdullahi noted that the best solution for Nigeria’s import substitution was to have an export-driven strategy that would 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 and urged stakeholders not to relent on their efforts towards repositioning the sub-sector to greater heights.
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.
