The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has successfully concluded a high-level Oil Palm Industry Stakeholders Convention aimed at increasing awareness and demand for improved oil palm seeds in the Niger Delta.
The event brought together over 80 key players from across the oil palm value chain, including farmers, seed producers, government officials, and financial institutions, to discuss the future of oil palm cultivation in the region and strategies to improve productivity and profitability.
The event which was held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, discussed challenges in the oil palm sector particularly the widespread use of low-quality seeds, which has led to suboptimal yields and reduced profitability for smallholder farmers.
Participants also emphasised the critical role that improved seeds—certified for higher yields and pest resistance—play in enhancing the sector’s sustainability and economic impact.
“The oil palm industry is a vital part of the Niger Delta’s agricultural economy, and the adoption of improved seeds is key to unlocking its full potential,”