The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has announced the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Republic of Indonesia and other stakeholders to revive the country’s oil palm subsector to enhance food and nutrition security, job creation, and export opportunities, among others.
The Minister stated this during a meeting with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Pahala Nugraha Mansury, and other stakeholders in the subsector recently in Abuja.
He pointed out that food security was the top priority on President Bola Ahmed Tibunu’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.
The Minister said that the forum would create a platform for identifying possible areas of collaboration and partnership between both countries and exploring the vast economic opportunities that abound within them.
In his words, “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.”.
Sen. Abdullahi noted that the best solution for Nigeria’s import substitute 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. He also urged stakeholders not to relent on their efforts towards repositioning the subsector 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 also 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 facilitating private sector investors in both countries.
He expressed optimism that, with robust cooperation between both countries, Nigeria could become a member of the 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 for 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
