Nigeria Moves To Align Sustainable Oil Palm Production With Continental Agricultural Goals

According to Ireporter Online, stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil palm sector have convened to harmonize the objectives of the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) with the strategic priorities of the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) III Kampala Declaration.

Speaking in Abuja, Kene Onukwube, Programme Manager at Solidaridad Nigeria, highlighted that the meeting aimed to integrate NISCOPS’ four key outcome areas with the six strategic pillars of CAADP III. He emphasized that the alignment seeks to enhance productivity, sustainability, and inclusivity in the oil palm value chain.

Onukwube explained that NISCOPS focuses on increasing smallholder farmers’ incomes, promoting sustainable productivity in harmony with environmental standards, and ensuring deforestation-free policies in oil-producing states. He noted that these objectives complement CAADP III’s focus on climate-resilient agriculture, inclusivity of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and investment in agricultural development.

He urged private sector actors sourcing palm oil from Nigeria to support smallholders in adopting sustainable production practices. Onukwube also highlighted the underperformance of Nigeria’s palm oil sector despite its potential, noting a production gap of approximately 1.6 million metric tonnes. He said that with 27 out of 36 states suitable for oil palm cultivation, significant expansion could substantially boost the national economy.

Addressing concerns about limited access to improved seedlings, Onukwube stated that NISCOPS has empowered smallholder farmers to produce improved varieties themselves. He added that farmers in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Kogi, Edo, and Ondo states have benefited from these capacity-building interventions. He called for government investment at all levels to support smallholders in replacing wild oil palm with improved seedlings.

Also speaking, Ogu Abraham Dayo, Senior Programme Manager at IDH, stressed the need for improved data coordination within the sector. He suggested collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics to synchronize and validate sub-national data, which would be valuable for the African Union in driving policy. Dayo added that IDH is currently working with private sector partners to provide smallholders with market linkages and capacity-building support, particularly in Edo State.