Maravi

Govt to import palm oil seedlings from Costa Rica

Govt to import palm oil seedlings from Costa Rica
By Kabanda Chulu
Monday July 14, 2008 [04:00]

GOVERNMENT is to import 100,000 pre-germinated seedlings worth US$ 100,000 from Costa Rica under the palm oil project being developed at Mbereshi Farm College in Kawambwa. Luapula Province acting permanent secretary Clement Siame said the importation of the seedlings would supplement the existing 56,000 which government imported earlier from the same country at a cost of US$ 80,000.

He said under the Luapula provincial agriculture office, the government would establish a research centre that would enable the country to produce its own varieties.

"Government through the programme against malnutrition (PAM) is in the process of importing 100,000 pre-germinated seedlings, this will be in addition to the existing seedlings that were imported in 2001," said Siame. "These projects are meant to enhance the development of the palm oil project in the province and in order to be self sufficient in palm oil products, plans are underway to establish a research centre to enable the country produce its own varieties."

And Mbereshi Farm College coordinator Julius Mwamba said the proposed research centre would help to improve local varieties to have high value and hybrid content.

"Local varieties are of low value content hence the research centre will help to develop and improve local seedlings to have high value and hybrid content," said Mwamba. "We cannot continue importing because any strange disease or disturbance when the plants are growing, we have to ask help from Costa Rica."

About 200 farmers have already been trained to engage in outgrower schemes under the project that aims to attract prospective would-be investors with ready materials.

The palm oil is a multi-purpose seed with several properties that include its high-rich medicinal value, soap making Palmolive, vegetable oil chinkondya, bio-diesel, animal feed stock making, body lotion making, among other properties.

Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, MBERESHI FARM COLLEGE, PALM OIL

posted by MrK @ 3:36 AM