A solution-oriented civil society organisation, Solidaridad, in collaboration with Sustainable Trade Initiatives (IDH) and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, has organised a forum aimed at developing climate-resilient oil palm farming in the country.
This initiative, under the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (#NISCOPS), brought together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, value chain participants, farmers, researchers, and funding partners.
The forum aimed to assess progress in the oil palm industry, set future policy directions, and explore innovative financing models that could support sustainable agricultural practices.
It served as a platform for discussions on strategies to enhance the climate-smart approach in oil palm cultivation.
Gabriel Fapojuwo, the Country Representative for Solidaridad, emphasized the importance of aligning efforts across various sectors of the agricultural value chain.
“This gathering provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together, reflect on past accomplishments, define new objectives, and ensure a clear understanding of each participant’s role in achieving collective goals,” he said.
One of the focal points of the dialogue was the integration of carbon credits into the agricultural landscape of Nigeria.
Fapojuwo highlighted the need for stakeholders to examine the potential of carbon credit systems to benefit smallholder farmers, suggesting that successful global models should be adapted to suit local conditions.
He also advocated for an inclusive approach, urging policymakers, implementers, and regulators to harmonize their efforts to achieve more effective results.
“New financing models are being introduced by the next generation, which could revolutionize access to finance. Now is the time to explore these opportunities and adapt successful international practices to Nigeria,” Fapojuwo added.
Fapojuwo called for an increased focus on the welfare of smallholder farmers.
He stressed that policy recommendations and financial strategies must be designed in a way that directly benefits the farmers.
