FG Inaugurates Committee to Drive Palm Oil Traceability, Boost Production and Exports
The Federal Government has inaugurated the National Palm Oil Traceability Framework and an Inter-Agency Committee to enhance palm oil production, strengthenwork and an Inter-Agency Committee to enhance palm oil production, strengthen consumer confidence, and promote exports.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, performed the inauguration in Abuja. He stated that the initiative aims to address issues such as adulteration, poor processing, and substandard packaging in Nigeria’s palm oil sector.
Senator Kyari explained that the committee would coordinate efforts across federal and state government agencies, private sector players, farmers’ cooperatives, processors, market associations, development partners, and donors.
“The establishment of a national traceability system for palm oil is a bold step toward modernizing our agricultural value chains, improving global competitiveness, and promoting responsible production and sourcing within Nigeria’s oil palm sector,” he said.
The Minister stressed that traceability is vital for maintaining product integrity and building consumer trust. It also ensures compliance with national and international quality standards, positioning Nigerian palm oil for broader application in industries like food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
He added that the committee’s activities would align with the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS), and emphasized the importance of producing not just for local consumption but also for international markets to increase national revenue.
Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr. Iwara Edet Bassey, noted in his welcome address that the initiative would lead to the creation of a robust national traceability system capable of monitoring production, certification, value addition, and supply chain dynamics.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Kennechukwu Onukwube, Programme Manager for Oil Palm at Solidaridad Nigeria, highlighted the organization’s role in pioneering the traceability initiative.
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He noted that the project has raised awareness about the need for a unified national policy that supports sustainable oil palm production and traceability.
The highlight of the event was the formal inauguration of the Inter-Agency Committee on Palm Oil Traceability
