The Federal Government has procured 73 motorized oil palm harvesters to ease the suffering and loss that the farmers experience during harvest. It would also and aid in providing quality and world standard palm oil.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, announced this when Oil Palm Growers Association (OPGAN) paid him a courtesy call in his office recently.
Lokpobiri also said that the harvesters will be given to farmers at a subsidized rate, he also mentioned that farmers will be trained on how to operate the harvesters.
The minister said the Federal Government will carry the association along in order to foster government-farmer relationship.
Senator Lokpobiri added that government is committed to helping the farmers to access a single digit loan from CBN, Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry, by doing so, it will help the farmers to expand their farms and boost production to attain food security.
He also touched on the issues of land tenure and land clearing, the Federal Government will consult various State Governments and affected communities to achieve the necessary outcome.
