THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PALM OIL PRODUCTION TO GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY OF ENUGU STATE (A CASE STUDY OF UDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE)

This research work is on the topic “The contributions of palm oil production to growth and development of the economy of Enugu State of Nigeria (A Case Study of Udi Local Government Area)”. 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. The study examined main objective of the study is to examine ways of increasing income earning capacity of rural people through palm oil production in Udi local government. The literature review also discussed problems and prospect of palm oil production in Nigeria economy. In line with this, the researcher sourced material through primary and secondary sources. The primary source will consists of research questionnaires and oral interview among conducted among the people of Udi L.G.A while the secondary sources comprised textbooks of different authors relating to the topic in question, journals and internet materials were as well be used. Data collected were analysis using simple table and percentage analysis with a brief explanation. A survey method was employed to elicit the required information while respondents totally one hundred were randomly selected for the study, this served as the population for the study. The study observed that physical infrastructure such as storage facilities; transportation system, access roads, communication channels and inadequacy of economic data for planning and research are some of problem confronting palm oil production in this area. It therefore recommended that Enugu state government should make modern farming facilities including fertilize available to this community of Udi L.G.A at a subsidized rate in order to encourage farming activities at this area especially in the area of palm oil production.