CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The oil palm belong to the palmae family and sub-family oooideae which also include coconut the genus was founded by Jacquin in 1963 on oil palm introduction originated in tropical West Africa which was given the name Elaeis guineasesis. It is a monocotyledonous plant that sometimes grows to a height of about 15 meter. It has an unbranohed habit and produces a single truck which bears a crown of forns. The crown may consist of between 25 and 40 large plant fronds being a monoecious plant. The male and female inferesences (flowers) are borne at the axile of the fornds. These are produced in alternating cycles, the female infloresooence given rise to the palm bunch bearing the fruits the palm fruit. It is a drupe and consist of leathery exocarp, fleshy mesocarp from which palm is extracted and a stoney endocarp which enclases the kernel.

   Oil palm (Elaecis guineansis) can be characterized according to its feature. It can be recognized on the basis of the fruits. Characteristics mainly by its shell thickness the form are as follows Dura, Pisifera, and Tenera.    

1. The Dura Palm: This has a thick shell with a thin pericarp and a large kernel. When processed, it gives a relatively low quantity of oil.
2. The Teneral Palm: This has a fairly thick pericarp (up to 60% of the fruit weight) a small kernel and thin shell.
3. The Pisifera palm: This has fruit without shell and a tiny kernel surrounded with fibres. Many of this variety or form of oil palm are sterile.

1.2STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Edo State is one of the major producing areas in Nigeria. Recently some other ones have sprung up and Edo State is noted as the largest producers of palm oil and palm kernels in Nigeria. It is therefore, the concern of this study to identify the reasons or the problems responsible for the falling level of oil palm production in the areas of study and also to render useful suggestions and solutions. 

1.3RESEARCH QUESTIONS

In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the following research questions were formulated and found useful to guide the investigation.

1. Does inadequate storage facilities result in low cultivation of oil palm in Nigeria?
2. Does inadequate processing facilities result in the low cultivation of oil palm in Nigeria, particular in NIFOR in Edo State?
3. Has the attack by diseases and pests lead to the decline in oil palm production?
4. Has inadequate labour lead to the low cultivation of oil palm by farmers?
5. Did inadequate land space result in the low productivity of oil palm production by oil palm farmers?
6. Will insufficient and inade4qaute capital or finance lead to the decline in the growing and production of oil palm by farmers in Edo State?
7. Does insufficient and inadequate orientation or advise and information from extension workers or agents lead to poor productivity in oil palm production?   

1.4OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of the study are;

1. To find out, identify and examine the problems of oil palm production in Edo State.
2. To find out solutions to some of those problems.
3. To make recommendations for improved or better oil palm production in Edo State.
4. To identify the reasons for the problems and the factors responsible for the falling level of oil palm production in the areas of study.
5. To carry out recent research findings that will help the researcher in finding solutions to the problems and how it will be of benefit to the researcher, the world at large and to contribute to already existing knowledge, and research.  

1.5SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on the oil palm production problems and the prospects in Edo State of Nigeria, and specifically the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Benin City of Edo State for the purpose of the research. Oil palm production will be among small scale farms and will be used as a case study. In the light of the above, information gathering will be limited to communities in NIFOR at Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

1.6SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The importance of oil palm production to the society cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, this research work is designed to find out the problems facing the improvement of oil palm production, problems and prospects in NIFOR (Edo State).

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