Nigeria wants to devote 47,000 hectares to the date palm

To increase its already substantial production of crude palm oil, Nigeria, Africa's largest producer, is implementing strategic initiatives to exploit its underutilized agricultural potential. Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on May 7 announced ambitious plans to develop palm plantations on an additional 47,000 hectares, seeking to attract substantial investment in the lucrative crop. These new palm groves are a continuation of the second phase of the Edo State Oil Palm Program (ESOPP), a project launched in 2019 which has already made it possible to plant more than 70,000 hectares of oil palm trees. This initiative mobilized investments totaling $500 million, illustrating the local government's commitment to agricultural development. According to Governor Obaseki's statements, this phase of the program is not simply a land acquisition project but rather aims to stimulate direct investments in the installation and operation of new palm groves. It also includes support measures ...