Oil palm production is one of the economic activities in the rainforest areas of Nigeria. Though farmers and oil palm producers testify to progress in the methods of planting and production they complain of lack of proper coordination and support by the government. In this interview with our man, JOHNSON OYEYEMI, Mr. Emmanuel Iku-o-penikan, farmer and producer at Ilu Tuntun, in the Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state, he said little support comes from the government, as the farmers and producers are left to source for materials and equipment for the production of oil palm.
Mr. Emmanuel Iku-o-penikan
What are the challenges faced by oil palm farmers?
There is no problem there. If only you can do it and pay good attention on it, definitely it will surely end well.
Do you plant palm tree/ plantation or you buy Pam oil seeds to process palm oil?
We do plant, we have a plantation of our own and we also have the rented one that we harvest by ourselves and process on our mill. For example, it is what you are looking at here in our mill now. This is from the Okitipupa Oil palm Company (OOPC). We just came back from the farm of OOPC with these bunch of seeds.
We understand that there are some seeds that are disease resistant, do you have access to such seeds or are you still planting the same seed that our fathers were planting?
There are like that at NIFOR ( Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research). Some people have planted this type and they are have been successful with it.
Do you get support from government, and if so what type of support do they give you and other palm producers?
We have not seen any support from government here in Ilu-Titun. (Speaking for myself), I have not seen/benefitted anything of such from government. I cannot lie to you. When they say they (government) bring anything of such, the people that will get it will not be up to anything to write home about, in terms of number. For example, last year, we were invited to come and register as farmers. I was fortunate to register but up till today I have not seen anything.
I have not seen/benefitted anything of such from government. I cannot lie to you. When they say they (government) bring anything of such, the people that will get it will not be up to anything to write home about, in terms of number.
If you are given the opportunity to ask for assistance from Government, what are the things you will be requesting for?
As this job is now, I will ask for fertilizer and things that will make the palm tree to grow and progress well.
When you compare oil palm production in the past to what obtains nowadays, will you say that there are improvements or decline?
There are a lot of improvements. Production of palm oil is easier now.
What do you think is responsible for the improvements?
In the past, when they bring the bunch of seeds from farm, we use legs to match it and this is so stressful but for now we use vehicles, or caterpillar to bring the bunch of seeds to the mill. Government sometimes give out assistance on these caterpillars. We also use fertilizers and pesticides that makes the palm tree to produce good seeds.
Do oil palm producers here have access to modern equipment to carry out their work and at what stage of production?
Like I have here, lot of palm oil producers have (mills) like me here in Ilu-Titun.
Some people complain about attacks by pests as a major problem of oil palm plantation. What is your experience here and how did you address it?
Yes, pests sometimes destroy them. You just see that their leaves turn to yellow once there is an attack of pests on them. But there are chemicals to be sprayed on these palm trees.
Is it true that the quality of the seeds differ?
Yes, it is true, there are different seeds with different qualities.
How do you know the difference?
Thank you. People say as you lay your bed so you will lie on it. That means that if you want to get good products from the farm, it depends first on how you take care of the farm, how you apply fertilizer, how you weed it, pruning, then it also depends on how you line the palm trees during planting time. Taking cognizance of the space in other to give room for adequate space and air.
Do oil palm producers here have access to modern equipment to carry out their work and at what stage of production?
Yes, the old ways of oil extraction is gone and gone for good with the attached stress. Most oil producers here now have access to modern equipment in all stages. Modernisation has come up now to the level that we now have machine that will do lots of stages that have been done by hand in the process, for instance separation machines.
The old ways of oil extraction is gone and gone for good with the attached stress. Most oil producers here now have access to modern equipment in all stages.
Why is it that oil palm producers deliberately hoard and create scarcity so that price of the product can go up and they would make more money?
Thank you. This current season that we are in. price of Palm oil has dropped. Then it does not pay for those of us that rent from government (OOPC) for instance from where we rent the farm or buy the bunch of seeds at the rate of #2500 each with other costs, it is possible not to meet up to realise the cost invested, talk less of profit. So, if we keep (hoard) for a period of time, say some months, till when the price goes up, it is there and then we can make money to cover cost and make profit as well. That is what normally happens.
If we keep (hoard) for a period of time, say some months, till when the price goes up, it is there and then we can make money to cover cost and make profit as well.
For how long have you been in this business?
Eight years.
Did you learn it or you inherit it from your parents, how did you get into it?
I inherited it
Since you started the production of oil palm, what years have there been difficulty challenges that shook the industry?
It is when you invest in business and you incur loss, that is when you say you are tired but if you see gain, you can never leave it.
If any of your children offered to continue this business, will you support him/her?
If any of my children comes to tell me that it pays him/her to do this business, I will advise him/her to continue.
It there is reincarnation and you have to choose a career once again, will you choose this business and why?
If we remember that I had been here once on the business I did then which I made gain, I will do it again.
To what extents are the Youths in this town showing interest in the oil palm plantation?
There is no youth in this town that does not have adequate experience of Palm oil production. It is farming that most of the youth in this town are doing.
What more do you think government should do for Palm oil farmers?
Government should empower the Palm Plantation and Palm oil farmers with the provision of chemicals to take care of pests, spraying machine, fertilizer and equipment like Lister engine and other machines.
Government should empower the Palm Plantation and Palm oil farmers with the provision of chemicals to take care of pests, spraying machine, fertilizer and equipment like Lister engine and other machines.
Do you have Palm oil Farmers/producers Association in this town?
I am not a member of any association.
There is but you did not join or there is none?
I heard that one was established but am not sure that it is progressing
And you did not see that its non-existence could be a reason the Government is not giving assistance to farmers in this town?
I don’t know. You can ask from other people that are doing this business.
Do you have branch of Farmers Association of Nigeria here in Ilu-Titun?
Not here in Ilu-Titun.
