THIS DAWN — The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), in collaboration with Alpha Palm City Estate Development Ltd, has launched a bold initiative to reposition Anambra State—and indeed the South East—at the forefront of the global palm produce value chain.
Alpha Palm City, an agro-real estate development company, specializes in acquiring estates, cultivating high-yielding palm seedlings, and nurturing them for sale to agro investors.
This synergy with NPPAN marks a significant step toward reviving the region’s once-thriving palm economy.
State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Foster Ihejiofor, addressed the newly inaugurated Anambra State executive of NPPAN.
Prof. Ihejiofor emphasized Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to maximizing returns from palm produce investments.
He recalled his 2022 visit to Malaysia, where palm trees are treated as national economic assets, warning that in Anambra, anyone found destroying palm trees would face prosecution.
Prof. Ihejiofor lamented Nigeria’s current dependence on palm oil imports.
He noted that despite being the original supplier of palm nuts to Malaysia decades ago, the country now spends over $500 million annually importing palm oil.
He stressed that more than 80 percent of products in Nigerian supermarkets are palm oil derivatives, underscoring the crop’s economic importance.
Anambra Government distributes 220 million seedlings
Highlighting government efforts, he revealed that Anambra has distributed 220 million palm seedlings to over 180,000 households in the past two years.
This aligns with Governor Soludo’s vision to lift families out of poverty through palm cultivation.
Mrs. Alpha Ani Emeka, an executive of Alpha Palm City, unveiled the company’s flagship initiative—the “One Family, 20 Palms” promotion.
She explained that the scheme allows families and investors to acquire palm trees in installments, with the company tending the plantations until investors assume ownership.
The goal, she said, is to raise at least 20 million palm trees across the state.
Dr. Lynda Onubogu, NPPAN Vice President (South East), inaugurated the new Anambra executive led by Mrs. Ifeyinwa Onweluzo.
Dr. Onubogu described palm produce as the historic backbone of Eastern Nigeria’s economy.
She called the inauguration a rallying point to restore the sector’s lost glory.
National Secretary of NPPAN, Kayode Olatola, added that palm trees are found in commercial quantities across 29 states.
Olatola reaffirmed the association’s nationwide reach since its establishment in 1995.
This renewed partnership signals a determined effort to reclaim Anambra’s place as a global leader in palm production.
Both government and private sector pledged to work hand in hand to drive sustainable growth.
