By Obiabin Onukwugha
Palm trees are vital to the environment and economic sustainability. It is one plant that does not have any waste. Its trunk can be used as planks for building of bridges and houses because of its durability and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
When left to decay, the trunk produces edible margo’s popularly called “Bayelsa Suya” in Nigeria, especially in the South. The leaves are used for the production of local brooms and fences.
On the other hand, the fruits produces palm oil for household cooking, production of soaps, among others. Furthermore, the palm kernet is also used in the cosmetics industry, while the shell is used as landfills.
All these create a chain of employment with a huge industry. Besides, palm trees serve as windbreaks and withstand heavy flooding thereby providing opportunities for solving climate change issues.
Reports have it that in Malaysia, the palm oil sector is of economic importance. It has come a long way from the introduction of the plant to the country as an ornamental crop to a complex global powerhouse, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s gross domestic product and the creation of job opportunities.
It provides support to over 450,000 smallholders by actively assisting farmers in obtaining Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification through training, financial assistance and access to their certification systems.
Today, the palm oil sector operates within a complex and dynamic environment shaped by converging pressures. Escalating consumer expectations for ethical and sustainable products, coupled with increasingly stringent government regulations and rapid technological advancements, Malaysia has transformed the industry’s landscape.
With 5.65 million hectares across the country dedicated to the cultivation of the crop, the sector’s impact on local communities, small-scale farmers, indigenous groups and workers is profound and far-reaching.
Many communities in Nigeria across the south boast of palm trees. As climate change impacts on our food production, the governments at all levels through the various departments and ministries of agriculture and as well Agric institutions can turn to palm tree planting. For instance the Rison palm companies in Etche and Elele communities in Rivers State and that of Elebele in Bayelsa state can be refurbished to production.
There are other communities like Odual that boast of lots of palm trees, which such companies can be replicated for optimum production to harvest the gains of this all-important tree.
Besides government can encourage smallholder palm oil producers in the local communities with trainings on new technogicies and soft loans to boost their businesses.
