Stakeholders Move To Address Traceability Gap In Palm Oil Sub-sector

Stakeholders in the oil palm sub-sector yesterday convened at a policy dialogue roundtable in Abuja to exchange views on implementing effective traceability systems for palm oil  in Nigeria. 

They said that the absence of a robust traceability system for palm oil  has  hampered the viability of the sector and ability to verify the origins of palm oil and its association with deforestation or social and governance issues. 

The policy dialogue is included in the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders project, being implemented by Solidaridad in the states of Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, and Kogi, and by IDH in Imo State. 

Programme manager at Solidaridad, Kene Onukwube highlighted the urgent need for a robust traceability system in Nigeria while he  emphasised that traceability systems are essential for enhancing food safety and market access.

He said that improved traceability would not only boost the quality of palm oil but also open up local and international markets for farmers and investors. 

He pointed out that the European Union’s regulatory framework demands effective traceability, a criterion where the Nigerian oil palm sector falls short, particularly affecting smallholder farmers who constitute 80% of the industry.

Senior programme manager at the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Abraham Ogwu, reiterated the importance of traceability in light of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). 

He explained that traceability could involve geolocation or polygon mapping to pinpoint the exact origins of palm oil production, ensuring it does not stem from deforested areas.

Ogwu stressed the role of IDH as an implementing partner in the oil palm project, working alongside Solidaridad to prepare Nigeria’s oil palm sector for future challenges and opportunities, while ensuring its competitiveness in the global market. 

Communications officer for Solidaridad, Pita Ochai, spoke about the project which aimed to advocate for changes in the industry, with traceability being a focal issue.

Ochai stressed the growing demand from consumers to know the origins of the products they purchase, making traceability a vital aspect of the industry’s future.

According to him, the policy dialogue serves as a platform for these discussions where stakeholders can set the stage for advocacy at various levels, including government and private sectors.