Oil palm growers call for help

Business, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday October 7th, 2015

 THE effects of El Nino has worsen the situation for local oil palm growers in Northern, according to the Popondetta Oil Palm Growers Association.

Association chairman Dickson Lomas Daima made those remarks yesterday when he called on the Government to help needy farmers in the province who were being hit by a slumping palm oil price, which had dropped below the base market price of K150 per tonne. 

Daima said the El Nino weather conditions had made things worse for the local farmers who had to meet their daily needs and wants when the prices of goods and services were higher than before.

He said oil palm generates around K1.7 billion (64 per cent) of annual agriculture commodity income in recent years and the industry must be protected when it face difficult times. 

“I talked about asking the Government to immediately establish a stabilisation fund to support the 6500 oil palm growers in the province, not only them but another 20,000 oil palm growers around the country,” Daima said.

“Stabilisation fund is very important. 

“It has been 30 years since the last time Government established a stabilisation fund to support farmers in 1985, until the prices picked up again.”

He said the price was very low at K130 per tonne which has an adverse impact on farmers who depended on income generated from their oil palm produce.

Daima said he had drafted a proposal to seek Government help.

He said the proposal would be submitted directly to the Government through the Oil Palm Industry Corporation Board.

“Considering these facts the Government should immediately look at ways to sustain and help those farmers who work hard.”

He urged the Government for support during the El Nino session.