The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), together with Mr. Paul Ekpo, who represents Etinan Federal Constituency, gave oil palm seedlings and money to 50 farmers in the area.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Etinan Federal Constituency includes Etinan, Nsit Ibom, and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas.
NAN also said that each farmer got 100 oil palm seedlings and 100,000 Naira to help them grow more palm oil.
Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, the Executive Director of NEPC, said the Federal Government wants to help people start or grow their oil palm business.
She was speaking through Mr. Ben Etegbe, the South-South Regional Coordinator. Ayeni said this support aims to make Nigeria a top palm oil producer.
She told the farmers to use this chance wisely because growing oil palms is a good, long-term investment.
Ayeni also said that palm oil and products made from it are a big chance to make money, especially when sold to other countries.
She explained that as more people and factories need palm oil, the demand will keep growing.
In Nigeria, making palm oil has been a tradition for a long time, especially in the South-South and South-East parts of the country. Often, the business is passed down through families.
She said Nigeria now produces about 1.2 million metric tons of palm oil, but this is not enough to meet the country’s need, which is over 2.5 million metric tons every year.
Even though Nigeria has a lot of potential to produce and export palm oil, this potential is not being used well.
Ayeni said the council will keep working with important partners to improve the palm oil industry and help Nigeria start exporting more palm oil again.
Mr. Ekpo thanked NEPC for their support to help people in his area.He said the program wants to grow the palm oil business from small local farms to the international market.
Ekpo added that palm oil farming is a key part of agriculture, and farmers can earn money either in Nigerian currency or foreign money.
He also said that no part of the oil palm tree is wasted, and this business can make many people rich in the future.
He told the farmers not to sell the seedlings but to plant them and believe they will grow into many more trees.
Before the event, Mr. Toju Mac-Jaja, the Principal Trade Promotion Officer, taught the farmers about different types of oil palms, how to plant them, and how to run the business well.
One farmer, Mr. Emem Jimmy, thanked NEPC and the lawmaker for the help.
He said this support will help many people become independent and asked the state government and others to build a good oil processing mill in the area.
