Rivers community to embark on commercial Coconut Farming

Mr. Inwon Urang, paramount ruler of the Asarama-ija community in the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers, says coconut farming is a veritable investment capable of enhancing employment and the local economy.

Urang disclosed this at the annual ‘Coconut Felestival’ on Thursday at Asarama-ija, Andoni, in Rivers.

According to him, the community is working towards making coconut farming a key economic pursuit as it is making efforts towards commercialising coconut production.

“We have acquired a verse piece of land, basically for the planting of improved species of coconut, because we are looking beyond the festival.

“Coconut is an economic tree suitable for our terrain, and we hope to develop it. We will start off the plantation with about 2,000 coconut stands in the first phase of the project.

“Currently, the community has about 3,000 coconut trees with a yearly harvest of over 10,000 coconuts, which is why we are working on an investment plan along the coconut value chain,” he said.

Coconut and its bi-products are of great economic value, so we look forward to partnering with government and private entrepreneurs in that regard.

Mr. Atajit Urang, counsellor representing the ward, commended the leadership of the community for its consistency in sponsoring the festival.

The counsellor noted that the annual celebration had further strengthened peace and united the people and neighbouring communities in the area.

Similarly, Mrs. Awajis Immanuel, an indigenous member of the community, expressed satisfaction with the opportunity for cultural displays that the festival offered, adding that it would continue to be a symbol of unity in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cultural performances and an almanack launch formed part of the festival.