The drive to make Agriculture the main stay of revenue generation in Abia's economy is in top gear...

By Blessing Ogonna Gabriel

In 2016, the state government introduced the oil palm program - a community based project. The target is to deliver 7.5 million tenera seedlings by 2019.

To achieve that, the ministry of Agriculture broke it on time lights: 2016 - 2million tenera seedlings
2017 - 3million tenera seedlings
2019 - 2.5million tenera seedlings

With clear understanding of land distribution in the state; which informed designing the project as community based, the ministry of Agriculture commenced the planting of the high yielding tenera hybrid seedlings raised at Ahiaba Umueze in Osisioma LGA. The plan includes replacement of wide grooves.

Last year, plantation commenced at the access road to International Conference Centre and within the premises.

So far groups and individual have bought 500,000 palms from the ministry’s nursery.
Because government does not intend to acquire land for plantation, a memo was released soliciting for support from stakeholders in Agriculture to make provision for plantation.

As expected, mischief makers and naysayers who are myopic will always twist issues for political gains.

What's wrong with planting oil palms in government open spaces, offices, schools, pathways, community roads, village squares?

I get disappointed when such mischief come from people believed to be wide-traveled.

See what our Oil Palm Nursery look like��