By Felicia Udeji
Okogbo, Edo State– Building on the success of its initial oil palm program, Edo State has launched the second phase of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), marking a significant milestone in the state’s agricultural development.
Governor Godwin Obaseki officially kicked off the new phase, which will see 50,000 hectares of land developed for oil palm cultivation in Okogbo Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area.
Governor Obaseki, accompanied by over 20 new investors, highlighted the significance of the program’s expansion. “We are launching ESOPP Phase 2 with a new set of investors to develop almost 50,000 hectares of land for oil palm,” the governor stated. The first phase of ESOPP, covering 70,000 hectares, has already established Edo State as a leader in oil palm development in Africa.
The decision to expand the program was rooted in the findings of a 2017 forest audit, which revealed significant deforestation and degradation of Edo’s forest reserves. The state government identified areas unsuitable for reforestation and allocated them for oil palm cultivation, a crop known for its high yield and environmental benefits.
The Edo State government’s role in the ESOPP program is to reduce risks for investors by addressing land allocation, securing community consent, and overcoming infrastructural challenges. This strategy has been critical in attracting investors and ensuring the program’s success.
Dr. Tunde Faturoti, Project Director of Saro Oil Palm, praised the governor for fostering a supportive environment for investment. “We are turning waste into wealth by planting high-yielding oil palm to drive economic growth and combat environmental degradation,” Faturoti noted.
The ESOPP program not only promises to boost oil palm production but also supports food security by allowing mixed-crop farming on the land before the oil palm trees reach maturity.