Abuja: The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) has announced its goal for the country to achieve self-sufficiency in palm oil production by the year 2050. This objective aligns with the country’s aim to secure its share in the global oil palm market.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this ambitious plan is anchored on the successful implementation of the National Oil Palm Development Strategy. Mr. Alphonsus Inyang, the National President of NPPAN, shared this vision during an interview conducted on the sidelines of the National Oil Palm Development Strategy Validation Meeting. He indicated that with a strategic guideline in place, Nigeria’s current production, which ranges from 1.4 to 1.5 metric tonnes annually, is projected to rise to between nine and ten metric tonnes by 2050.
Mr. Inyang, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Technical Working Group for the strategy, highlighted the empowerment of smallholder farmers as a critical action towards enhancing production. He outlined plans to expand oil palm production into Taraba, Niger, and Kogi states, leveraging the agricultural potential of these areas. Taraba, with its extensive land and favorable climate, is notably positioned to contribute significantly to this growth, potentially outpacing Southern Nigeria in palm cultivation.
The strategy also aims to establish a National Oil Palm Council, an Oil Palm Development Fund, and a National Smallholders Development Fund. The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) will transition into a Nigerian Oil Palm Board, tasked with overseeing research, development, and innovation.
Inyang expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s current global ranking as the fifth-largest producer of palm oil, emphasizing the nation’s leading position in Africa in terms of production, importation, exportation, and consumption. He attributed the historical challenges in the sector to the lack of a clear governance framework, which has resulted in a fragmented system lacking central regulatory oversight.
The new strategy proposes a structured governance architecture akin to successful models in Malaysia and Indonesia, supported by a dedicated fund to manage tariffs and other financial resources. This framework is expected to create an enabling environment for growth and investment in the sector.
Dr. Fatai Afolabi, Managing Consultant at Foremost Development Services, emphasized the mission to build a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive palm oil production system for Nigeria, integrating large-scale estates and smallholders through sustainable practices and efficient supply chains.