L
LequteMan
Guest
The Federal Government through President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday at an international conference on palm oil production reiterated its commitment to create 3.5 million jobs through the agricultural value chains of production, processing and marketing by 2015.
He expressed government’s determination to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to the domestic supply by 2015.
“We have identified oil palm as one of the important commodities and key drivers to promote the value chain initiative.
“We have also intensified efforts to provide enabling environment.”
Jonathan said that between 1961 and 1965, Nigeria was the world largest producer and marketer of palm produce, contributing 39 per cent of the world average production.
“It is an irony that we allowed this position to slip out of our hands.
“Nevertheless, this administration is resolved to return the nation to the former glorious level of performance.”
The president said that a major breakthrough towards the attainment of the objective objective was the launching of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES).
Under the GESS, the president said that farmers were receiving inputs directly.
He expressed government’s determination to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to the domestic supply by 2015.
“We have identified oil palm as one of the important commodities and key drivers to promote the value chain initiative.
“We have also intensified efforts to provide enabling environment.”
Jonathan said that between 1961 and 1965, Nigeria was the world largest producer and marketer of palm produce, contributing 39 per cent of the world average production.
“It is an irony that we allowed this position to slip out of our hands.
“Nevertheless, this administration is resolved to return the nation to the former glorious level of performance.”
The president said that a major breakthrough towards the attainment of the objective objective was the launching of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES).
Under the GESS, the president said that farmers were receiving inputs directly.