Essential oil

Essential oil

More than 30 800 rural Ugandan households stand to benefit from a multimillion-dollar project aimed at improving sustainability in the palm oil industry.

Under the US$210.4 million National Oil Palm Project (NOPP) – which will focus on building strong partnerships between rural farmers and primary processors – smallholder growers of oil palm will have access to quality inputs, technical know-how and investment credit, improving livelihoods and food security, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s (IFAD).

The NOPP will be implemented in Buvuma, Mayuge, Masaka and a fourth unidentified hub, supporting inclusive rural transformation across the East African country, where agriculture contributes more than 20% to the GDP.

The project is being financed through a US$75.8 million loan and US$1.2 million grant from IFAD, a direct investment of US$90.6 million from private sector partners and US$25.6 million from the Ugandan government. In addition, beneficiaries will contribute $17.2 million to the project.

 

18 December 2018
Image: Gallo/Getty Images

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