By Ogbebor Tony Ikponmwosa
The Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP) is a government initiative to make Edo State the leading producer of sustainable oil palm in Nigeria. The programme was launched in 2019, and is committed to the principles of sustainability, job creation and forest management. Since then, the growth of the State’s oil palm programme has been a testament to the commitment of Governor Godwin Obaseki to diversifying the economy and creating jobs.
Driven by the principles of sustainability, ESOPP seeks to create a thriving oil palm industry that contributes to economic diversification, job creation, forest management and restoration. By prioritizing the Produce, Protect and Rehabilitate (PPR) approach, Edo State is setting an example for responsible oil palm production in Nigeria.
By getting it right in key aspects of the programme, Edo State is now well positioned as a global leader in plantation development and oil palm production.
One of the key objectives of ESOPP is to challenge the notion that oil palm is a driver of deforestation. The programme ensures that all ESOPP investors operating in the State comply with the Round-Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) principles and criteria. This includes measures such as preserving biodiversity, protecting forests and community values, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, respecting workers’ rights, and securing land rights. The State has also adopted the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) approach, engaging stakeholders and interest groups before any activity or investment takes place.
In addition to its environmental benefits, ESOPP investment also has a significant economic impact. The programme generates direct and indirect job opportunities, supporting local communities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), along the value chain. With a long gestation period of 25 to 30 years, oil palm plantations create sustainable employment opportunities, requiring both direct labour (approximately four workers per hectare) and indirect labour, depending on the farm activities. The value added to local businesses and the overall economy is immeasurable, further enhancing the socio-economic development of Edo State.
Edo State’s commitment to responsible oil palm production and forest management has gained recognition nationally and internationally. As the only sub-national entity to sign the Marrakesh Declaration for responsible oil palm production and forest management in 2015, Edo State has been actively engaged in the Tropical Forest Alliance and the Africa Palm Oil Initiative (now known as the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative). These partnerships emphasize the interconnecting nature of oil palm and forestry sectors, and the ambition to extend sustainable practices beyond Edo State to other regions in Nigeria. By aligning with global sustainability initiatives, Edo State is positioning itself as a leader in driving sustainable plantation development and oil palm production in Africa.
Obviously, ESOPP is a case study of how sustainable development can be achieved through responsible oil palm production. The programme is transforming the oil palm sector in Nigeria, and setting a precedent for other regions to adopt sustainable practices, and contribute to Nigeria’s growth, while preserving its natural resources.
It is certainly an ambitious programme that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the development of Edo State, now and for years to come. The commitment of the programme to sustainability is evident in its adherence to RSPO principles and criteria, and its adoption of the FPIC approach.
As ESOPP continues to defy Nigeria’s inadequate investment in infrastructure, poor access to finance for small-scale farmers and security challenges to succeed, it offers the hope that economic impact in Nigeria can be achieved in a sustainable manner.
