Traceability system will help in developing Nigeria’s oil palm sub-sector—Stakeholders 

National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders, NI-SCOPS, Solidaridad, in collaboration with the Sustainable Trade Initiative, IDH, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, have called for the use of the traceability system to develop Nigeria’s oil palm subsector. During the ‘Policy Dialogue on Enhancing Oil Palm Sustainability Systems: Traceability for Effective Markets’ in Abuja, Programme Manager, Oil Palm Nigeria in Solidaridad, Kene Onukwube, underscored the importance of tracing the origin of oil palm, particularly its connection to deforestation and the production methods employed by farmers. He emphasised that implementing traceability systems would enhance quality, food safety, and market opportunities for palm oil, both locally and internationally, and he added that compliance with existing standards, especially those set by the EU is crucial for attracting investments and ensuring sustainability.

He said: “This initiative aligns with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, EUDR, which mandates knowing the palm oil’s origin and ensuring compliance with global and national standards.” Advocating for traceability at the local and regional levels, he highlighted the significance of raising awareness among smallholder farmers and enhancing their capacities. “We are working with smallholder farmers in palm oil industry to improving their likelihood and build their capacity to improve their income, so that we can boost the agricultural sectors in the country. Also, building their capacity to know that the world is changing and the changes are those who are consuming your product want to know where it is coming from.” According to him, despite the prevalent involvement of smallholders in Nigeria’s palm oil sub-sector, many are unaware of traceability systems and standards, therefore stressed the importance of enforcing national standards to ensure accountability and address social and governance concerns including child labour and slavery.

The Senior Programme Manager, IDR, Abraham Ogwu, explained about the ongoing implementation of traceability projects in Akwa Ibom, Cross-Rivers, Enugu, and Kogi States, “basically aimed at boosting the agricultural sector and improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. The palm oil sub-sector’s potential to contribute to Gross Domestic, Product, GDP, and hence capacity building of smallholder farmers underscores the importance of implementing traceability measures, fostering economic resilience, social justice, and environmental conservation in palm oil-producing regions. Also also calling the relevant bodies private and government and development partners to support these initiatives and boost the agricultural sectors in the country”, he said.