NIFOR urges farmers to embrace date palm cultivation

The Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) has advised farmers to embrace the cultivation of date palm for its huge return-on investment profits.

The Executive Director of the institute, Dr Celestine Ekonoebe, gave the advice in an interview in Dutse, on Tuesday.

Ekonoebe said farmers, particularly in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital, should embrace the cultivation of date palm because it was more profitable than most other farm products.

According to him, cultivation of date palm was not only more profitable than most other kinds of cultivated crops, but could also yield huge incomes for the farmers.

Supreme reports that date palm is widely grown in Jigawa, while Dutse, its capital is well known for different species of the crop.

The executive director called on farmers and other interested individuals to disregard the rumour that those who plant date palm tree would not live long to reap its benefits, saying that people can indeed plant the crop and begin to benefit from its fruits in three to four years.

“Most of people who are familiar with the produce do not take it for granted; our species, once they’re females, will produce fruits between three and four years.

“However, farmers, particularly in Jigawa, can take advantage of date palm cultivation because it yields yearly and better now.

“They should look at its economic side and begin to plant. And it is also good that we begin to replant and tell people to plant more of it,” he said.

Ekonoebe assured farmers and other interested individuals of the institute’s proven seedlings, identified as early yielding ones, while people, including farmers in the state, should avail themselves of the opportunity and visit the date palm research sub-station in Dutse to obtain the improved seedlings.

Apart from producing date palm seedlings, the station also educates farmers on how to plant and maintain it effectively for good yield.

Ekonoebe assured that the institute would soon embark on massive sensitisation on the economic benefits of the crop in order to encourage its cultivation among farmers and other individuals in the state, and beyond.