Solidaridad, in partnership with the IDH, a Netherlands-funded agric program, has launched phase two of the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS), which targets to improve the production of oil palm in a sustainable way.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Wouter Plomp, speaking at the launch of the project, said his country, as part of its commitment to Nigeria, is launching the second phase of NISCOPS to sustain a more environmentally friendly palm oil production in Nigeria.
With support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the project will be implemented for a period of five years (2024–2028), covering Akwa-Ibom, Cross Rivers, Enugu, and Kogi States. The project aimed to support over 12,000 smallholder oil palm farmers in fostering a more environmentally friendly production in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
FG Calls on Oil Palm Stakeholders to Adopt Technology in Boosting Growth
Solidaridad is an international network organization working in over 40 countries with seven regional offices on five continents to make sustainability the norm and enable farmers and workers to earn a decent income, produce in balance with nature, and shape their own future.
The Regional Director of Solidaridad, Isaac Gyamfi, represented by the Head of Programs for Solidaridad in West Africa, Nathaniel Boateng, emphasized the project’s focus on sustainability and environmental protection.
Governor Sani Unveils $50 Million Soya Bean Oil Refinery in Kaduna
According to Solidaridad boss, there is the notion that oil palm contributes a lot to deforestation, so the project seeks to encourage farmers to invest more within the landscape that they are in to diversify and also enrich their production so that they get more from what they have instead of expanding into other landscapes or into the forest areas.
He explained that the first phase was a test case, adding that phase two will help to expand to other farmers and consolidate the results, but most importantly, look for opportunities to also unlock climate finance for the farmers.
