OIL PALM PRODUCTION AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF NIFOR)

Project Abstract

This project work has assessed the palm oil production and its economic importance in Edo State using NIFOR as a case study. The oil palm is one cash crops of this country which has greatly contributed to the economic development of Nigeria. The methods use for collecting data from their workers were questionnaire and oral interview. From the study most of oil palm grow wild in the oil palm grows and have been exploited as such. Increase in demand for oil palm necessitated the improvement of the crop, the method of cultivation and ways of tapping its vast potential. Based on these findings from the study the following recommendations were made; (1) Government should provide financial support to the production of oil palm to enhance the production of oil palm products. (2) Government should provide good roads and communication system to enhance the production of oil palm.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYThe oil palm belong to the palmae family and sub-family pooideae which also include coconut the genus was founded by Jacquin in 1963 on oil palm introduction originated in tropical West Africa which was given the name Elaeis guineensis. It is a monocotyledonous plant that sometimes grows to a height of about 15 meter. It has an unbranched habit and produces a single truck which bears a crown of thorns. The crown may consist of between 25 and 40 large plant fronds being a monoecious plant. The male and female inflorescences (flowers) are borne at the axle of the fronds. These are produced in alternating cycles, the female inflorescence given rise to the palm bunch bearing the fruits the palm fruit. It is a drupe and consist of leathery exocarp, fleshy mesocarp from which palm is extracted and a stoney endocarp which encloses the kernel.Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) can be characterized according to its feature. It can be recognized on the basis of the fruits. Characteristics mainly by its shell thickness the form are as follows Dura, Pisifera, and Tenera.

1. The Dura Palm: This has a thick shell with a thin pericarp and a large kernel. When processed, it gives a relatively low quantity of oil.
2. The Teneral Palm: This has a fairly thick pericarp (up to 60% of the fruit weight) a small kernel and thin shell.
3. The Pisifera palm: This has fruit without shell and a tiny kernel surrounded with fibres. Many of this variety or form of oil palm are sterile.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMEdo State is one of the major producing areas in Nigeria. Recently some other ones have sprung up and Edo State is noted as the largest producers of palm oil and palm kernels in Nigeria. It is therefore, the concern of this study to identify the reasons or the problems responsible for the falling level of oil palm production in the areas of study and also to render useful suggestions and solutions.1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONSIn order to achieve the purpose of the study, the following research questions were formulated and found useful to guide the investigation.

1. Does inadequate storage facilities result in low cultivation of oil palm in Nigeria?
2. Does inadequate processing facilities result in the low cultivation of oil palm in Nigeria, particular in NIFOR in Edo State?
3. Has the attack by diseases and pests lead to the decline in oil palm production?
4. Has inadequate labour lead to the low cultivation of oil palm by farmers?
5. Did inadequate land space result in the low productivity of oil palm production by oil palm farmers?
6. Will insufficient and inadequate capital or finance lead to the decline in the growing and production of oil palm by farmers in Edo State?
7. Does insufficient and inadequate orientation or advise and information from extension workers or agents lead to poor productivity in oil palm production?

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDYThe objective of the study are;

1. To find out, identify and examine the problems of oil palm production in Edo State.
2. To find out solutions to some of those problems.
3. To make recommendations for improved or better oil palm production in Edo State.
4. To identify the reasons for the problems and the factors responsible for the falling level of oil palm production in the areas of study.
5. To carry out recent research findings that will help the researcher in finding solutions to the problems and how it will be of benefit to the researcher, the world at large and to contribute to already existing knowledge, and research.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDYThis study is focused on the oil palm production problems and the prospects in Edo State of Nigeria, and specifically the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Benin City of Edo State for the purpose of the research. Oil palm production will be among small scale farms and will be used as a case study. In the light of the above, information gathering will be limited to communities in NIFOR at Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDYThe importance of oil palm production to the society cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, this research work is designed to find out the problems facing the improvement of oil palm production, problems and prospects in NIFOR (Edo State).