–berates Gov for abandoning coconut refinery in A’Ibom
–says Govt patronising portfolio farmers
By the Guide Newspaper
A University of Uyo lecturer and Professor of Science Communication, Prof. Herbert Batta, has analysed the current Tree Crop Revolution initiative by Governor Umo Eno’s administration in Akwa Ibom State, stating that narrowing such agricultural initiative to distribution of oil palm seedlings to farmers was not genuine revolution.
Prof Batta who was speaking in one of his articles titled: ‘That Tree Crop Revolution in Akwa Ibom State’ lamented that Akwa Ibom State government has failed to leverage on its area of comparative advantage in agriculture to drive the revolution.
According to him, “So, it is great to hear AKS talk about tree crop revolution. But when I listened attentively, I only got to hear the “revolution” involves the development of oil palm seedlings and distributing them to farmers; I didn’t see the revolution, honestly! ”
Prof. Herbert Batta proffered some realistic steps that Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture must take to drive agricultural revolution in the state to include adoption of mechanised farming and mobilization of real farmers to drive the vision and expanding the vision to accommodate cash crops like coconut, cocoa, cashew, timber, fruit trees among others.
Hear him: “My idea of a revolution is the acquisition of enormous lands in each of the 10 federal constituencies of at least 1 to 2 square kilometres, the procurement of earth equipment like tractors, the mobilisation of farmers including Nysc members, and other important requirements in addition to focusing on coconuts, cocoa, cashew, timber, fruit trees, and not only oil palm!
Why is coconut not mentioned when there is a multi million naira coconut oil refinery wasting away? Why are fruit trees not mentioned when they can bring fruit drink processing factories? Why is timber not mentioned when States like Ondo is annually harvesting logs planted since Awolowo and earning millions in revenues? And we are talking about a deep-sea port! What exactly do we intend to ship out of the port if we are not producing them?”
Prof. Batta called on Akwa Ibom State government and other policy makers in the sector to think beyond oil and make the tree revolution a real revolution.
“I respectfully call on Akwa Ibom State Government, AKADEP, and our distinguished Professors Ansa and Ibia to please think beyond oil palm and truly make the tree crop revolution a real revolution! Distributing seedlings to farmers who have no access to hectares of land and earth moving machinery is not a revolution. Oil mills constructed by Attah in Ibesikpo, Ukanafun, Esid Ekid, had been abandoned for decades without producing a gallon of oil despite millions spent on them. And then, AkwaPalm, that massive oil palm plantation in Esid Ekid, Uruefong Oruko, and ?Mbo is lying desolate and embroiled in disputes even after being rechristened Dakada Palm, it has failed to ARISE! What manner of revolution is that? The future of our State amply depends on sustainable agriculture.”
The Tree Crop Revolution, announced recently by Governor Umo Eno is designed to expand palm oil production in Akwa Ibom State. The programme will be managed by the Akwa Ibom State Agriculture and Food Security Committee, chaired by Professor Okon Ansa, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state. Other members include Professor Trenchard Ibia, also a former Commissioner for Agriculture.
