Nigeria: British Tobacco Invests in Calabar Oil Palm

Source from:  This Day (ng)  08/05/2013

Oil palm cultivation in Cross River State has received a boost from the British American Tobacco of Nigeria (BATN) which has so far invested over N10million in the state's oil palm revival programme.

Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. James Aniyom revealed this at the inauguration and donation ceremony of oil palm processing cottage industry by BATN foundation at Itigidi in Abi Local Government Area.

Aniyom who was represented by Mr. Francis Adie, a director in the ministry said that BATN has over the years supported series of local initiatives by empowering farmers through agricultural development noting that the foundation has also provided portable water supply, environmental protection and support to educational institutions.

The project, he revealed, has recorded a reasonable level of success because it adopted the demand-driven participatory approach of the FADAMA III projects.

"This palm oil cottage industry is the product of successful collaboration between government, and the private sector. We do encourage private organisations to invest in our local communities to create employment, embark on income generating activities and tackle poverty,'' he said.

The commissioner commended the people of Itigidi for donating a suitable piece of land for also building an oil palm mill and lauded BATN for the successful completion of the project even as he appealed to them to effectively manage and sustain it.

A director in BATN, Mr. Freddy Messanvi, said that the oil palm cottage industry was the second of its kind to be inaugurated and donated to Cross River State Government by BATN and that the choice of Abi was due to its comparative advantage in the production of oil palm fruits at a relatively large quantity.

Represented by Mrs. Sorimedayo George, an executive director in BATN, Messanvi said the cottage industry will go a long way in addressing the problems of drudgery in agricultural produce processing.

"The ease at which the harvested palm fruits will now be processed into oil palm will boast higher productivity. This will ultimately culminate in higher product quality, income and better livelihood for members of the cooperative society and the entire community,'' he said.

The foundation, he noted, has also provided a functional borehole with a 5,000 litre water storage tank to provide adequate water for processing activities at the cottage industry.

"Our vision is a Nigeria in which poverty has been significantly reduced in rural areas," he said.

In his speech, Mr. Bassey Elemi, Coordinator, Cross River FADAMA III projects, said that the oil palm industry was the development of the agricultural sector that would boost the economy of the state and fits into the livelihood agenda of FADAMA III which is to encourage people to engage in agricultural businesses.

The chairman, Itigidi farmer's Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, Mr. Stephen Ikpete praised BATN for the wonderful initiative and promised that adequate security will be provided for the facilities provided by the company. Enditem