In the face of the present realities whereby crude oil has greatly nosedived, many economies, especially in Third World, are finding it difficult maintaining a balance in the implementation of the national budgets and thereby evolving socio-economic policies that can help shape the lives of the people. As a way out of the problem, it has been advocated that the people begin to look inward and find credible and sustainable alternatives to oil, which had been the major source of income for the countries for several decades. Picking up the gauntlet, oil giant, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) Limited, has been evolving series of practical steps aimed at cushioning the effects of the oil slide. Though a major global player in the oil sector, the oil company believes in the need to embrace agriculture as a business and enterprise venture. Since 1994, the oil major has been involved in the diversification of the economy of its host communities through the provisos of extension and other support services to farmers.Last Tuesday, TEPNG organised a Network Day programme for farmers in its OML-58 host community within the Seed Multiplication Centre (SMC) in Oboburu and Elele, Rivers State. The programme, held within the company’s premises in Port Harcourt, was in technical partnership with the African Regional Aquaculture Centre (ARAC) and the Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical, both in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government areas of the state.
In his opening remark at the event, Deputy General Manager (DGM), Sustainable Development, TEPNG, Mr Cyprian Ojum, said the dream of the oil company to prepare the people for a life outside oil had been on for a while, but noted that with the Network Day, it was beginning to take shape.
He said the agriculture scheme was one of the initiatives of Total, adding that the partnership with some experts, farmers and training institutions was aimed at moving agribusiness forward in its host communities and, by extension, the entire Rivers State. “It has not been easy but we are optimistic that the project will move ahead, especially with the new partnership. Nigeria ought to have diversified when revenue from oil was high, but Nigerians are now being forced to do this due to the present realities”, he said, regretting that the country would have been better for it if it had earlier diversified from being a mono-economy.
Also speaking, Manager, Enterprise Development, TEPNG, Mr Philippe Desriac, described the maiden network day meeting as an important idea aimed at “creating an enabling environment for the development of sustainable agriculture and aquaculture in Egiland”. He emphasised that in the face of the present economic realities, agriculture and aquaculture was an actual priority for the Nigerian government. “Even if our company is making business all over the planet, that doesn’t attenuate our feeling of local responsibility. I am convinced that farming naturally stimulates activity, while also boosting employment. I want to remind (all) that farm is part of our business; the sustainability of the farm is our priority. We want to develop innovation and test new technology. The plan is to transform this farm as a hub to train people and to help them to develop their own farm...if they want”, he said.
Speaking on why the need for a partnership, Mr Eze Obulor, also of Total E&P, said it was to enhance the productivity and profitability of agribusiness. He said it would also add value to the efforts, noting that the technical partners, ARAC and FCE (Technical), were into new research works, imparting knowledge to enhance and improve profitable farming.
Obulor said the SMC at Oboburu and Elele were moving into a new phase namely, from distribution of agricultural products to commercialisation, aimed at improved productivity and profitability. Through this, he said the partnership project, domiciled at the SMC would soon be able to stand on its own. Guest speakers at the network day included Dr Ben Isirima and Dr Innocent Abali and Mr Anayochukwu Odinwa from FCE (Technical) and Dr (Mrs) Joe Ansa Ebinimi from ARAC. The first three speakers delivered a seminar paper on “Effective Utilisation of Innovations in Agriculture: Way Forward to Profitable and Sustainable Agribusiness”.
In his opening remark at the event, Deputy General Manager (DGM), Sustainable Development, TEPNG, Mr Cyprian Ojum, said the dream of the oil company to prepare the people for a life outside oil had been on for a while, but noted that with the Network Day, it was beginning to take shape.
He said the agriculture scheme was one of the initiatives of Total, adding that the partnership with some experts, farmers and training institutions was aimed at moving agribusiness forward in its host communities and, by extension, the entire Rivers State. “It has not been easy but we are optimistic that the project will move ahead, especially with the new partnership. Nigeria ought to have diversified when revenue from oil was high, but Nigerians are now being forced to do this due to the present realities”, he said, regretting that the country would have been better for it if it had earlier diversified from being a mono-economy.
Also speaking, Manager, Enterprise Development, TEPNG, Mr Philippe Desriac, described the maiden network day meeting as an important idea aimed at “creating an enabling environment for the development of sustainable agriculture and aquaculture in Egiland”. He emphasised that in the face of the present economic realities, agriculture and aquaculture was an actual priority for the Nigerian government. “Even if our company is making business all over the planet, that doesn’t attenuate our feeling of local responsibility. I am convinced that farming naturally stimulates activity, while also boosting employment. I want to remind (all) that farm is part of our business; the sustainability of the farm is our priority. We want to develop innovation and test new technology. The plan is to transform this farm as a hub to train people and to help them to develop their own farm...if they want”, he said.
Speaking on why the need for a partnership, Mr Eze Obulor, also of Total E&P, said it was to enhance the productivity and profitability of agribusiness. He said it would also add value to the efforts, noting that the technical partners, ARAC and FCE (Technical), were into new research works, imparting knowledge to enhance and improve profitable farming.
Obulor said the SMC at Oboburu and Elele were moving into a new phase namely, from distribution of agricultural products to commercialisation, aimed at improved productivity and profitability. Through this, he said the partnership project, domiciled at the SMC would soon be able to stand on its own. Guest speakers at the network day included Dr Ben Isirima and Dr Innocent Abali and Mr Anayochukwu Odinwa from FCE (Technical) and Dr (Mrs) Joe Ansa Ebinimi from ARAC. The first three speakers delivered a seminar paper on “Effective Utilisation of Innovations in Agriculture: Way Forward to Profitable and Sustainable Agribusiness”.
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