§ 43. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give details of the proposed plantation scheme at Asejiri, in Nigeria, to be undertaken jointly by the Western Regional Production Board, native authorities and 1248 co-operative societies; in particular, how co-ordination between these bodies is to be achieved; how far responsibility is to be allocated; and how the profits are to be shared.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe Western Regional Production Development Board and farming co-operative societies in the Asejire area are partners, under the general superintendence of the Nigeria Co-operative Department, in several schemes for the cultivation of oil palms and food crops. The Board provides capital equipment, planting material, skilled staff and direction. The Asejire people supply land and labour. The Board plans to recover its expenditure out of profits over an agreed period, and co-operative societies will be encouraged to take over management once the plantations are fully established, and eventually to buy out the Board.