The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has inaugurated the National Palm Oil Traceability Framework and Inter-Agency Committee to boost the production of palm oil, consumer’s confidence as well as export.
Speaking during the inauguration of the committee, held in Abuja recently, the Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi stated that the Palm Oil Traceability Framework Committee is aimed at tackling adulteration, poor processing, and packaging, among others
Sen. Kyari noted that the Committee would serve as the driving force behind the traceability system, fostering coordination across federal and state government agencies, private sector actors, farmers’ cooperatives, processors, market associations, development partners, and donors.
He revealed that ‘’the establishment of a national traceability system for palm oil is a clear demonstration of our determination to modernize agricultural value chains, enhance global competitiveness, and promote responsible production and sourcing throughout Nigeria’s oil palm sector’’.
He pointed out that “Traceability is essential for boosting consumer confidence and upholding product integrity.
It helps to eliminate adulteration, enforces compliance with national and international quality benchmarks, and strengthens the competitiveness of our palm oil in key industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics’’.
The Minister explained that the committee will operate under the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) in Nigeria.
‘’Nigeria must not only produce for local consumption but also for export in order to boost the country’s revenue’’, he added.
In his welcome address, Director, Federal Department of Agriculture, Mr Iwara Edet Bassey said that the initiative would establish a comprehensive National Palm oil Traceability System that monitor production, certification, value and supply chain data, among others.
In his remarks, Programme Manager, Oil Palm of Solidaridad Nigeria, Mr. Kennechukwu Onukwube, stated that ‘’ Solidaridad has borne the responsibility to midwife a process that has, first, opened the consciousness of people to the need for a traceability system for our oil palm in Nigeria — because that is currently non-existent — and the need for all stakeholders to align around a common policy that will enable us to process a sustainable future’’.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Inter-Agency Committee on Palm oil traceability.
Signed
Ogbuagu Charity Chika (Mrs.)
Principal Information Officer
For: Director, Information
23/7/2025
