By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com —
Elders and Leaders of Evbuekpen Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, have commended the Managing Director of Presco Plc, Mr Felix Nwabuko for running an inclusive administration which has given a sense of belonging to the community.
Speaking at the ‘Seed Evidence Day’ ceremony, recently, the community elders attributed the peaceful atmosphere in the area to the generosity and transparency of Presco Plc and its Managing Director.
General Secretary of the community, Samson Amalawa, who spoke on behalf of the community, recalled how Presco Plc connected the community with electricity.
He said: “We are grateful. Thank you Presco Plc for supporting the community. They (Presco Plc) come regularly, especially in February, March and April every year. Our prayer is for Presco to continue to grow.“
Presco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) policy focusses on the provision of educational infrastructure and scholarship, road maintenance, provision of electricity, portable water supply and other essential basic services for its host communities.
Presco Plc is one of the largest employers of labour in Edo and Delta States and firmly belief in environmentally friendly operation.
For example, all factory waste from the oil mill are recycled into the plantation or used as fuel to generate green process steam and energy.
The event was attended by Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Stephen Idehenre, Head, Development Finance Office, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Benin Office, Edo State, Esther Odeyemi, President, Nigeria Agric Business Group, Emmanel Ijewere, PalmElit Commercial Director, Xavier Lacan, Siat group Research &Development Manager, Reinout Impens, representative of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), among others
Addressing stakeholders at the event held at one of Presco’s plantation at Ologbo, Edo State, as part of activities lined up to mark ‘Seed Evidence Day,’ Nwabuko explained that smallholder and out grower farmers are very critical to the development of the sector.
According to Nwabuko, challenges posed by inadequate land for large scale expansion has made collaboration with Small Holders imperative.
He commended efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sustain growth in the sector, adding that “research is the way to go”.
Siat Group Research &Development Manager, Reinout Impens who spoke on the outcome of research conducted with partners said the development boost growth and sustains profitability.
According to him, to support and sustain such progress the Siat group started a 20-year collaboration with CIRAD, PalmElit and INRAB in 2007, pointing out that the “Genetic Block Project”, implemented in Presco plc saw the establishment of progeny trials covering some 500 hectares.
”Such material can only be developed and obtained through breeding and selection involving long term concerted and committed efforts from breeders, research institutes and private actors.
“Most trials aim to determine the breeding values of parents for a new generation of planting material.
“Other trials are part of larger international efforts to improve drought resistance and fertilizer use efficiency both critical for long term resilience in the lights of climate change and growing resource scarcity.
“Moreover, the project further enables a diversification of disease resistant planting material as well as the introduction of additional traits of interest.
“This project, developed in Africa and one of the largest of its kind in the world, engages over 120 full time workers to monitor the growth, production, and oil extraction rate components.
“Results indicate that oil yield of over 5t/ha can sustainably be achieved in Africa (against a global average of around 4t/ha and well above the 1t/ha averaged in Nigeria).
“These efforts, by ensuring perpetual progress in genetic potential and regional adaptation, not only provide the Siat group with guaranties regarding the quality of planting materials used but also safeguard the sustainable growth of the African oil palm industry in general, primarily by increasing yield and thus reducing the need for land conversion or deforestation”.
