Plantations
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse, May 16, 2018 (NAN) Mr Charles Aisagbonhi, the Acting Executive Secretary, Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), has called on each of the 27 Local Government Councils in Jigawa to establish a 50,000-hectare date palm plantation.
Aisagbonhi gave the advice on Wednesday in Dutse when visited the Dutse Date Palm Research Substation.
He said that the proposed venture would boost the revenue of the councils.
He also said that the date palm plantations would also serve as windbreakers, while strengthening efforts to control soil erosion and desert encroachment.
“We are urging each of the 27 local government councils of Jigawa to establish a 50,000-hectare date palm plantation to enhance their revenue generation.
“The plantations will also serve as windbreaks; they will also assist in the control of soil erosion and desertification,’’ he said.
Besides, Aisagbonhi advised individuals to plant at least 10 palm trees around their homes.
He said that if the date palm plantations were managed effectively, they would also provide job opportunities for youths in the state.
“Since land is not a problem in this part of the country, the local government councils should able to establish the date palm plantations.
“The plantations can create job opportunities for the unemployed youths of the state, as they would be engaged to look after the plantations.
“All you need are organic manure and watering facilities like tube wells and sprinklers to ensure adequate watering of the date palm seedlings.
“Once there is enough water to water the seedlings, they will grow quickly and begin to bear fruits,’’ he added.
Aisagbonhi said that date palm cultivation was a good means of income generation and poverty alleviation.
“This is because one can earn about N6 million from one hectare of date palm plantation. That’s why we are advising the local government councils to engage in date palm growing.
“I am glad to note that our date palm nurseries are doing very well here in Jigawa,’’ he said.
Aisagbonhi, therefore, called on the local government councils and other interested individuals in the state to take advantage of the plant nurseries by visiting the NIFOR substation to obtain the improved date palm seedlings.
He said that the major advantage of the improved date palm seedlings produced by the institute was that they would begin fruiting after three to four years, if properly managed. (NAN)
MNB/OOK
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