Determination to create more jobs and wealth for Deltans through massive coconut farming in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has appealed to land owners across the three senatorial districts to partner government in the ongoing coconut development programme under the MORE agenda.
Executive Assistant on Agriculture to the Governor, Aneke Ifemeni made the disclosure on Wednesday while speaking as guest of Orientation Panorama Platform on Voice of Delta Radio 97.9 FM, saying that coconut farming has become a lucrative business and one of the major foreign exchange earner for governments and investors in the country.
Orientation Panorama on Voice of Delta Radio is an initiative of Delta State Orientation Bureau, DSOB, in collaboration with Delta Broadcasting Service Asaba, to project the policies, programmes and achievements of the state government and the governor, Oborevwori.
The EA on Agriculture to the Governor, noted that unfortunately coconut and it’s value chain products has become scarce across Nigeria, because of dew farmers and low production, prompting governor Oborevwori to create the enabling environment for coconut business to thrive in the state through public-private partneeship.
The EA Agricultural to the Governor, further disclosed that the public-private partneeship arrangement is to enable land owners who do not have the required financial muscles to venture into coconut farming by making their land available, so as to share profits with government and other core investors.
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Aneke who is also the Coordinator of Delta State Coconut Development Programme, DSCDP, disclosed that as a result of the ongoing PPP arrangement, government acquired several hectres of land across the state for coconut farming, while pilot programmes have been flagged off in some communities under the governor’s MORE agenda.
“Our amiable visionary governor, Oborevwori is very passionate about wealth and job creation for our youths and Deltans across board.
“He strongly believe that through deliberate huge investments in Agriculture and Coconut Farming, thousands of Deltans shall become successful entrepreneurs and millionaires in the near future.
“Government has in the process acquired vast land running into several hectres through public-private partneeship wherein land owners without financial muscles donate or lease their land for coconut farming for a specific period of time, share profits with government and/or local and foreign investors.
“This arrangement is to facilitate coconut farming development in the state, and at the same time create wealth and job opportunities for our people.
“There are already made export and domestic markets for Coconut products, including coconut oil. It’s a flourishing business and we encourage land owners to contact the state governor for partnership.
“Furthermore, relevant government agencies are ready to connect investors with local coconut farmers, and also through the office of the Executive Assistant to the governor on Agriculture, situated at Olorogun Felix Ibru Secretariat along Mariam Babaginda Way, Asaba, the state capital,” Aneke said.
