The oil palm sub- sector of the
agricultural sector of the economy presented itself
as a potential productive sector that could be used
to diversify the economy after years of neglect.
Historically, this subsector has been a source of
growth in a stagnant economy because of the
numerous economic potentials of the oil palm
(Purvis, 1970). Ahmed (2001) highlighted the
importance of the economic tree crop in providing
direct employment to about 4 million Nigeria people
in about 20 oil palm growing states in Nigeria and
indirectly to other numerous people involved in
processing and marketing. Omoti (2001) stated that
Nigeria has enormous potential to increase her
production of palm oil and palm kernel primarily
through application of improved processing
techniques. Agboola (1993) opined that improved
technologies that meet both growth and
sustainability goals can be effectively used by oil
palm processors. However, most technologies are
designed for developed rather than developing
countries. Nevertheless, most farmers in developing
countries use imported seed materials obtained from
research stations but without a corresponding
application of packages which are meant to be used
with them. Even where these packages are used as
instructed, yields are always lower than those
obtained in research stations where seeds are bred.
Efforts to raise agricultural production and farmer’s
standard of living require the introduction of
improved farm equipment and technologies as well
as increased availability and utilisation of energy
and power. However, the vast majority of farmers
work at near subsistence level of production
(Cobezas et al, 1995).