Overhaul for K1.2bn industry

 AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister Tommy Tomscoll says the palm oil industry brings in more than K1.2 billion into the country in terms of export revenue.

But, he said the Government wanted to see a fairer distribution of gains from the industry to stakeholders, particularly the village and settlement farmers.

He said this during the announcement of new heads for the Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC) Board over the weekend.

The National Government has appointed Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Department Dr Vele Pat Ila’ava as chair of the OPIC and long-time board member Oka Ailan Kamale as the deputy chairman. 

Tomscoll said: “The appointments are in line with the Government’s policy to overhaul the agriculture sector-based on the functional expenditure review recommendations. The overhaul of the sector beginning with new legislations for a new-

look Agriculture Department and a new agriculture investment corporation.

“All commodity boards and agencies in the sector must prepare to align, comply and where relevant, subordinate themselves to these policy and legislative changes.

“Some commodity boards and agencies, despite the Government’s clear policy indications, are dragging their feet, cluttering the board process, and hoping that implementation of the recommendations will fall by the wayside.

“I can assure you that as long as I am Minister for Agriculture and Livestock and this Government is in power, the reforms will happen. 

“In fact, they are already happening. I will be receiving the bills to enact the National Agriculture Act and the Agriculture Investment 

Corporation any time now from the implementation and advisory team.

“I am calling on all board members and all stakeholders in the oil palm industry to give these men all the support they need and work with them to ensure that the oil palm industry benefits all,” Tomscoll said.