On 28 August, IDH organized a state level Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) workshop for the planning of the second phase of the National Initiatives for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS 2) program in Edo State.

The workshop was attended by key stakeholders from diverse sectors, including government agencies, private sector players, farmer associations, and civil society organizations, as members of the NISCOPS Partners’ Forum in Edo state. The forum was inaugurated in August 2021 and has since served as a think-thank for policy related issues affecting oil palm smallholders in Edo state, with focus on smallholders in the Okomu forest landscape.  

The aim of the workshop was to promote the sustainability and resilience of oil palm smallholders through policy improvement. It focused mainly on the importance of collective action and innovative approaches, ensuring that smallholders are not only supported but also empowered to thrive in a changing climate.

The discussions centered around refining strategies, sharing insights, and identifying collaborative opportunities to ensure the effective implementation of NISCOPS 2 initiatives.

The workshop brainstormed on the following key areas:

·       Policies geared towards oil palm development in the state

·       Data collection, monitoring & Evaluation

·       Operational framework for the Edo state One-Stop-Shop office.

The stakeholders noted the role of NISCOPS in promoting smallholder inclusion in sustainable palm oil and building capacity of the smallholders.

IDH Senior Program Manager Abraham Ogwu expressed his gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the workshop. He also reaffirmed IDH's commitment to the success of NISCOPS 2 and encouraged all stakeholders to continue working collaboratively to achieve the initiative's goals. Also present at the workshop are IDH NISCOPS staff -  Augustine Niniyo and Adesoji Tella