Netherlands plans to develop oil palm in 3 states

The Netherlands has said it was concluding plans to further boost its agricultural ties with Nigeria, especially with oil palm development programme in three states. It named the states as Edo, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom, adding that the programme would start in Edo. It said that Mrs Sigrid Kaag, the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade […]

The Netherlands has said it was concluding plans to further boost its agricultural ties with Nigeria, especially with oil palm development programme in three states.

It named the states as Edo, Cross River and Akwa-Ibom, adding that the programme would start in Edo.

It said that Mrs Sigrid Kaag, the Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation was currently visiting Nigeria with over 40 Dutch companies.

It noted that Netherlands was already Nigeria’s third largest trading partner, mostly in the energy sector but now wanted to make an impact in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

“Now, the country also wants to make an impact in Nigeria’s agriculture sector through private sector development programmes in horticulture.

“The Dutch companies will transfer knowledge and technology to farmers in Nigeria, notably in Kaduna and Kano.

“In the same line, a palm oil development programme will be started in Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and other states in the South.

“Most of the companies and institutions that accompany the minister are active in the agriculture sector,’’ it said in a statement e-mailed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.