A’Ibom Govt To Plant 2 Million Coconut Seedlings By December

By Usiere Akpan

INI

The Akwa Ibom government has targeted the cultivation of about 2 million seedlings of high breed coconut trees before the end of this year.

  Consequently, Gov Udom Emmanuel has performed the commencement of a 300,000 coconut seedlings plantation to mark the Akwa Ibom Coconut Day 2022.

 The inauguration of the project, supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture, took place at Mkpu, Itu Mbonuso in Ini Local Government Area, Tuesday.

 Emmanuel said the additional coconut seedlings plantation was to guarantee the source of raw material for the optimal operations of the existing coconut refinery in the state, assuring that the action was another way of securing the economic value and hub of Akwa Ibom at the international market. 

 He remarked that his administration places high premium onthe inauguration of the plantation above other projects slated for takeoff at the 35th anniversary of the state, hinting that the event was in the first phase of the entire project.

 Emmanuel mentioned that it has been ascertained that based on a thorough survey done by experts the environment of Ini Local Government Area remains very fertile for very high yielding hybrid coconut, adding that a simultaneous planting of coconut in all the 31 local government areas has been done same day and within a range of time in the afternoon hours.

 The state chief executive called on the benefitting community to protect the project, emphasising that the coconut plantation would generate income through coconut oil sales at the international market.

   The commissioner for agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, appreciated Emmanuel for facilitating the realisation of the initiated project, noting that it had been the vision to increase raw materials for the coconut oil factory.

 Offor said as the state marks the 2022 Coconut Day with the planting of seedlings, many job opportunities will be created for the youths and income will be generated through the production of the coconut oil.

 The paramount ruler of Ini Local Government Area, Edidem Etim Umoette, commended Emmanuel for various developmental projects across the state, especially the huge investments in agriculture, adding that the efforts have remained a panacea for food sufficiency in the state.

The event was attended by the member representing Ini State Constituency, Mr. Emmanuel Ekpenyong as well as a former commissioner for agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, watched by elders, women and the youth.