OCP Africa, IAR&T, NIFOR partner to boost oil palm production in Nigeria

OCP Africa, a Morrocan company renowned for fertiliser production, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan and the National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) have entered into a partnership which would see to increased palm oil production in Nigeria.

Executive Director , IAR&T , Professor Veronica Obatolu who made this disclosure on Monday, noted that the partnership was entered into with the sole aim of increasing the production of oil palm in the three major states in South West, South East and South South states renowned for oil palm production.

Obatolu spoke during a learning workshop/ meeting- End of phase 1 (Soil mapping and fertility evaluation) of OCP-funded oil palm specialty fertiliser project in Nigeria which was attended by various stakeholders.

She added that the institute is partnering with these organisations so at the end of the day they will be able to formulate fertilisers that are suitable for oil Palm production.

“We are doing soil mapping and evaluation of soil facilities for oil palm production.

“And with this first phase, we will be able to formulate fertilisers that are suitable for oil palm and it will be site specific.”

Senior Agronomist at OCP Africa, Dr. Donald Madukwe, in his remarks said that the fertiliser company is driven by research to improve productivity.

He said: “We believe that it is better to take precautions to increase productivity. At OCP, we are concerned about farmers’ livelihood. We are partnering with relevant agencies to achieve this.

“What we are doing is to take into consideration oil palm producing states to conduct feasibility study.

The project Director, Dr. Vincent Aduramigba, in his own remarks added that the aim of the project is to develop crop specific fertilisers.

He said, “For the first time, we are developing crop specific fertilisers. We are developing fertiliser meant for oil palm. So, from next year, our farmers will be having bumper harvests.”

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