Nigeria has two main palm production systems, the wild grove and the planted farms, with the wild grove producing about 80% of total fruit for processing. The varieties under production are a critical function of the long term productivity and competitiveness of Nigerian palm oil industry.
How did the Nigerian government revive vegetable oil production?
The Federal government under President Olusegun Obasanjo initiated what was then called a road-map to revive vegetable oil production in Nigeria. A forum on vegetable oil production which took place in September 2000 and chaired by President Obasanjo led to the setting up of a Committee on Vegetable Oil Development Programme (VODEP).
Where is vegetable oil produced in Nigeria?
Akwa Ibom state, a coastal state in south eastern Nigeria is one of the areas where oil is produced in large quantities, mainly by women. The processing of the fruits into vegetable oil is most commonly carried out by women. It begins with harvesting the ripe fruits which grows in clusters weighing between 20-30 Kilos.
How much oil is produced in Nigeria?
The Oil World (2008) puts the current 2005¨C2008 estimates of groundnut oil, soya bean oil and cotton oil production ¨C the other major vegetable oils produced in Nigeria as 325,750 tons, 50,325 tons and 19,700 tons annually respectively.