The government of Kogi State and Malaysia have entered a memorandum of understanding to boost oil palm production in the state.

The deal was struck when Governor Ibrahim Idris went to the South East Asian country, Alhaji Zakari Adamu, the Special Adviser on Media has said.

According to Zakari Adamu, the Malaysians have promised to assist Kogi and already, their experts have reciprocated the governor's visit. "They toured all our palm plantations and discovered that our soil is very fertile and we have a large expanse of land," he said.

The adviser said Governor Idris wants "to bring the species that they have developed in Malaysia and flood Kogi state with them". He noted that Malaysia which is the leading country in the world in palm oil production first took palm kernels from Nigeria.

Zakari said the species the Malaysians plan to bring to Kogi was such that after three years they would start producing. "The Malaysians are also coming with their simple technology which involves hand driven machines that can cultivate the soil. It is not expensive and individuals can buy," he said. In addition, the Malaysians are coming to set up a factory in Kogi State where those farm implements can be produced, Zakari further said. According to him, the farming implements will not only be sold to other states but to other countries in the West African sub region.

The special adviser also debunked accusations that the Igalas have marginalized other ethnic groups in the state. He said that the accusers make the allegations out of their own selfish interests. "Several times, the people of Okun and Igbirra lands have sent several delegations to thank the governor for the even spread of projects and appointments in Kogi state," he added.