The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi has announced the ministry’s intention to collaborate with the Republic of Indonesia and other stakeholders to revitalise Nigeria’s oil palm subsector. This initiative aims to improve food and nutrition security, create employment opportunities and expand export potential.
During a recent meeting at Hawthorne Hotel in Abuja, the minister, along with Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pahala Nugraha Mansury and other key stakeholders emphasised the government’s commitment to prioritizing food security. This collaboration with Indonesia is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, highlighting the significance of boosting the oil palm value chain due to its substantial potential for economic growth and wealth creation.
The forum provided a platform for identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership between both countries, along with exploring various economic prospects. Abdullahi emphasised the ample room for investors and farmers to work with the government, taking the oil palm industry to the next level of economic growth and development.
Echoing the minister’s sentiments, Mansury highlighted the role of palm oil in enhancing food security and agricultural development, aiming to alleviate poverty and increase smallholder farmers’ income. The areas of collaboration outlined included palm agriculture, research and economic development cooperation, as well as facilitating private sector investments in both countries. The vice-minister expressed optimism that with robust cooperation, Nigeria could become a member of the Council of Palm Oil-Producing Countries (CPOPC) due to its significant potential.
Furthermore, in support of the ministry’s efforts to enhance food security, the Andoma of Doma, Nasarawa State, Dr. Ahmadu Aliyu commended the initiative and urged the National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) to encourage Nigerians to plant 5-20 palm trees at their homes.
President of NPPAN, Dr. Alphonsus Inyanga emphasised that the association’s goal is not solely focused on plantations, but also aims to promote the population of palm trees at household and community levels, enabling Nigerians to benefit from the prosperity offered by palm oil. He also appealed to the Indonesian government to collaborate on processing technology, supply chain facilities and storage.
The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of Indonesia, members of the National Palm Producer Association of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders.
