THE PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF OIL PALM PRODUCTION

A CASE STUDY OF NIFOR EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the problems and prospects of oil palm cultivation using Nifor as a case study. In the process of the research questionnaires were administered to farmers and workers, so as to enable the researcher collect the required data which were selected and analyzed using simple percentage. The findings of the study revealed that problems facing oil palm production include lack of adequate land space, inadequate storage facilities which result in low production of oil palm, inadequate finance etc while those of its prospect include that the cultivation of oil palm is an inevitable means of shifting the nation’s dependence on oil sectors as the main stay of the nations economy, a means of encouraging rural agriculture since southern Nigeria with particular reference to Nifor is fertile for oil palm production and as a means of discouraging urban drift. Recommendations were given thereby encouraging the setting up of  small scale industries in the rural areas were oil palm is produced as a means of reducing unemployment and encouraging rural development.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Background to the Study

Statement of problem

Objective of the study

Significant of the study

Scope of the study

Basic assumption

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE    

Research methodology

Design of study

Area of study

Population of the study

Sample and samplings techniques

Research instrument

Administration of research instrument

Method of data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR       

Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE         

Summary

Implication of findings

Recommendations

REFERENCES  

QUESTIONNAIRES  

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The oil palm originated in tropical West Africa where it is found growing in any areas the centres of production of oil palms stretches from Senegal, through Dahondy and Nigeria to Congo and Angola. Nigeria is one of the worlds loading producer of palm oil and palm kernels palm produce was the main commodity which attracted the early European traders to west African those traders save the oil rivers to the Nigeria delta area where they traded the use of oil palm and it products are many the leaves are used for making brooms and for roofing materials the back and the front is paled and weaving into baskets, the main trunk can be split and used as supporting frames in buildings a sap tapped from the female flower is drunk as palm wine a rich source of year red palm oil can be extra from the fibrous layers of the nuts of the fruit bunch this is locally used in the manufacture of candles, margarine, and soap a clear oil from the kernels is used for making pomades palm kernel meats is used as a menial food the empty fruit bunch, the shell and fortress which remain after oil extraction are used as fondle many plantation of oil palm have been establish in west African, but most palm produced is obtained from palms growing wild.

1.2  STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Edo state is one of the major oil producing area in Nigeria recently some other ones have sprang up and Edo state is noted as the largest producers of palm oil and kernels in Nigeria yet there is storage of palm oil and kernels in Nigeria not to talk of export the yield of palm kernels for export which used to add to the nations revenue as falling. It is therefore they concerned of these study to identify the reasons of problems responsible for the falling level of oil palm producing in the area of study and also to render useful subjections.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study are

1.     To identify and examine the problems of oil palm production in Edo state.

2.     To find out solutions to some of those problem.

3.     To make recommendation for improve or better oil palm production in Edo state.

1.4  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on the oil palm production problems and prospects in Edo state specifically Nigeria institute for oil palm research in Benin city for the purpose of the research, oil palm production will be among small scale farms will be used as a case study in the light of the above information gathering will be limited to communities in NIFOR.

1.5  THE SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The importance of oil production to the society cannot be over emphasized therefore this research work is designed to find out the problem facing the improvement of oil palm production, problem and prospect in NIFOR (Edo state).

1.     It is hoped that the results of the research will be of use in the improvement of oil palm production.

2.     Besides, the study will help agricultural policy planners in the under standing of the problems of oil palm production and how to solve them.

1.6  HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis of this study are formulated are

1.     Inadequate storage facilities result in low cultivation of oil palm in Nigeria

2.     Attack by pest and disease lead to decline in oil production.

3.     Inadequate land space affect the production of oil palm farmers who produce oil palm are called with the problems of advise from the extension workers