By Grace Samuel
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has recently unveiled the second phase of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), allocating an additional 47,000 hectares of land to new and prospective oil palm investors.
During a meeting with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) CEO Joseph ‘JD’ D’cruz and other investors at the Government House in Benin City, Governor Obaseki announced the upcoming launch of ESOPP 2 next month, utilizing 47,000 hectares initially and incorporating lessons learned from ESOPP 1.
This initiative, initiated in 2019, aims to de-risk the oil palm value chain by providing contiguous land for sustainable production, with a focus on creating employment, improving livelihoods, and regenerating the state’s forest belt.
The first phase of ESOPP, currently cultivating over 70,000 hectares of land, has attracted over $500 million in investments, making it the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa.
Governor Obaseki emphasized that ESOPP is not about land acquisition but rather about supporting investors in oil palm to reduce risks.
He encouraged investors to do business in the state, highlighting ESOPP’s role in addressing deforestation by using oil palm for reforestation without cutting down trees.
The Governor stressed the unique advantage of using oil palm to restore the environment as an interim zero-carbon idea.
He emphasized oil palm’s productivity without necessitating deforestation, positioning Edo State as a natural hub for oil palm production.
Governor Obaseki discussed his administration’s efforts to diversify the state’s economy, creating an enabling environment by removing bottlenecks and supporting investors.
He emphasized the importance of agriculture and oil palm production in driving economic growth and improving productivity across the value chain.
In conclusion, Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, CEO of Saro Group of Companies and Chairman of ESOPP Agro Allied Limited, commended the Governor for fostering a supportive business environment.
Alhaji Fatai Afolabi, CEO of Foremost Development Services Limited, highlighted Edo State’s leading position in oil palm production in Nigeria.
The launch of ESOPP 2 underscores Edo State’s commitment to sustainable development through innovative agriculture practices, positioning the state as a key player in the oil palm industry while prioritizing environmental conservation and economic growth.