HC Deb 29 July 1958 vol 592 cc1134-5
35. Mr. R. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals for a national policy are being considered by the Sierra Leone Marketing Board to stimulate the palm oil industry, in view of the conclusion in its annual report for 1957 that the palm oil industry is of fundamental importance to the economy of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Profumo

The Marketing Board's Report urged the adoption by the Government and others concerned of a policy of planting high yield varieties of oil palms; and I understand that the Sierra Leone Government have been actively investigating means of stimulating production of palm kernels, as well as of other agricultural products.

Mr. Edwards

I thank the hon. Member for that reply, but does not he agree that there is great scope in the palm oil industry for the possible development of the co-operative principle? Does not he further agree that a scheme similar to the one operating in Nigeria, where seedlings are circulated at very cheap rates, and where there is a high degree of training, might also be considered for the palm oil industry of Sierra Leone?

Mr. Profumo

I should like to look into that matter.

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