In a recent interview with BusinessDay, Churchill Oboh, acting team lead of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), discussed the progress and impact of the program initiated by Governor Godwin Obaseki. The ESOPP aims to diversify the economic base of Edo State, create jobs, improve livelihoods, and contribute to forest management and restoration through de-risking the oil palm sub-sector.
Since its inception in 2019, the ESOPP has rejuvenated the oil palm sector in Edo State, positioning it for global competitiveness. The program focuses on sustainable production, following the “PPR” approach of Produce, Protect, and Rehabilitate. To address environmental concerns, the ESOPP ensures compliance with the Round-Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Standard, emphasizing biodiversity preservation, forest protection, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, workers’ rights, and land rights.
By adopting sustainable practices, Edo State is changing the narrative about oil palm production and attracting investors. The ESOPP has allocated approximately 70,000 hectares of land for oil palm production, with an additional 40,000 hectares planned for phase two. The state government aims to add over 1 million metric tons to local production of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) by 2030.
The ESOPP has opened up opportunities for large-scale commercial farming in the oil palm sector. Indigenous and foreign agro-investors, such as Agro-allied Resources and Processing Nigeria Limited (Dufil), AgriPalm Ltd (a subsidiary of Flour Mills Nigeria Plc), Saro Oil Palm, Bragav Nigeria Limited, and Saturn Farms, have been allocated lands ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 hectares.
The program has attracted significant investments in the oil palm sector, with investors committing between $7,000 and $8,000 per hectare. These investments, which cover infrastructure costs, will have a positive multiplier effect on the state’s economy.
The ESOPP has created an enabling environment for potential investors, positioning Edo State as a leader in plantation development and oil palm production in Africa. The state’s commitment to responsible oil palm production and forest management has been recognized internationally, with Edo State becoming a partner of the Tropical Forest Alliance and signing the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative.
With a focus on sustainability and long-term planning, the ESOPP expects to create numerous job opportunities and add value to local communities. The program contributes to the state’s Ease of Doing Business ranking and aims to make Edo State a hub for responsible oil palm production and forestry sector reforms.
As the ESOPP continues to progress, Edo State is poised to make significant contributions to the oil palm industry, both domestically and within the African continent.
