Edo State Reveals Blueprint for 47,000-Hectare Oil Palm Plantation in ESOPP Phase 2

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced the forthcoming launch of the second phase of the state’s Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), earmarking an additional 47,000 hectares for allocation to new and prospective oil palm investors.
Launched in 2019, ESOPP is an initiative spearheaded by the Obaseki-led administration to mitigate risks within the oil palm value chain by providing contiguous land to investors for sustainable production. Its objectives include job creation, livelihood improvement for project community members, and regeneration of the state’s forest belt.
Addressing a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), Joseph ‘JD’ D’cruz, and other oil palm investors at the Government House in Benin City, Governor Obaseki highlighted ESOPP’s role in combating deforestation. He stated, ‘We are commencing ESOPP 2 and will launch it next month. Initially, we are dedicating 47,000 hectares. ESOPP 2 builds upon the lessons learned from ESOPP 1. Prospective investors for ESOPP 2 are welcome. Our program focuses on facilitating oil palm investments to mitigate risks, encouraging investors to conduct business in the state.’
Governor Obaseki emphasized ESOPP’s distinctive feature: ‘We emphasize ESOPP’s key advantage, utilizing oil palm for reforestation. Unlike conventional practices, our program does not involve tree felling. Instead, we utilize oil palm to restore deforested areas, thus contributing to environmental preservation.’
Highlighting the global significance of oil palm, he added, ‘Oil palm is renowned globally for its prolific edible fats. Many regions do not resort to deforestation for oil palm cultivation. Leveraging Edo’s natural oil palm abundance aligns with our strategic vision.’
Discussing his administration’s economic diversification efforts, Governor Obaseki noted, ‘We’ve fostered an enabling environment, streamlined processes, and cultivated markets to attract and sustain investments. Agriculture, particularly oil palm production, is pivotal to our economic diversification strategy.’
Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, CEO of Saro Group of Companies and Chairman of ESOPP Agro Allied Limited, commended the governor’s supportive business environment, emphasizing Edo as a transformative investment destination.
Alhaji Fatai Afolabi, CEO of Foremost Development Services Limited, RSPO’s intermediary organization in Nigeria, lauded Edo’s leading position in oil palm production nationwide.