Actual situation and possibilities of the African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the production of vegetable oil in Latin America

Abstract

The African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) a source of palm oil, offers Latin American countries an opportunity to incorporate for farming use many areas of virgin lands without the danger of erosion. At the same time this crop can make a contribution to the solution of colonization problems, agrarian reform programs, population settling and rural industrialization on advantageous sound socio-economic basis. The Government of each country would take the basic iniciatives as for example the execution of projects in regions favoured with means of communication to the consumer centers, with a minimum area of 1.500 ha. This size of area is necessary for operating a government owned plant for oil extraction on a remuneratic basis. The participation of the Government would be extended to the initial planting. Governmental experiment stations would supply quality seedlings not only to private enterprise and cooperatives in charge of industrial planting but also to the individual farmer who would receive technical and financial aids from the governmental agencies in the conduct of small-scale plantings.