By Otoikhila Emmanuel
In preparation for the forthcoming Palm Oil Investors’ Forum scheduled for September 8, 2025, in Benin City, the Edo State Coordinating Office of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has embarked on a sensitization and technical outreach to the Palm Oil Producers Association in Edo State.
The RMRDC delegation, led by Acting State Coordinator, Engr. Otoikhila O. Emmanuel, met with executives and members of the Palm Oil Producers Association at their Benin City base. The aim of the visit was to engage stakeholders on strategies for improving productivity, enhancing value addition, and strengthening investment readiness in the palm oil sector.
Engr. Otoikhila opened the session with an overview of RMRDC’s mandate, ongoing programs, and the significance of the Investors’ Forum. He emphasized the Council’s commitment to supporting local producers through technical assistance, capacity building, and the facilitation of access to improved processing equipment.
The meeting provided a platform for the Association, led by its President, Mr. Solomon Ovbiogie, to highlight several persistent challenges affecting palm oil production in the state. Key issues raised included:
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- Outdated Processing Methods: Many members still rely on traditional techniques, which are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and result in substandard products. The absence of modern processing equipment continues to limit efficiency and output.
- Limited Access to Finance: Mr. Joseph Osazee, a member of the Association, noted that inadequate access to affordable financing hinders producers from investing in necessary infrastructure, technology, and quality inputs.
- Lack of Technical Knowledge: Members reported gaps in knowledge related to modern farming techniques, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. They called for training and capacity-building programs to improve their operations.
- Marketing and Market Access:Participants also highlighted insufficient marketing strategies, poor access to local and international markets, and inadequate value addition as major constraints to profitability.
They also explain that the Association source its raw materials predominantly from rural communities and peasant farmers, further underscoring the need for support in mechanization and logistics.
In response, Engr. Otoikhila assured the producers of RMRDC’s readiness to collaborate closely with the Association. He affirmed the Council’s dedication to facilitating training programs, supporting equipment acquisition, and linking producers with potential investors and markets in line with RMRDC’s mandate to drive value addition and industrial growth.
The upcoming Investors’ Forum, to be held at Jorand Food and Bar, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the palm oil value chain, including government agencies, private investors, and development partners.
