Okomu Oil Palm, PIND equip 500 Edo farmers with climate-smart farming skills
Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc (OOPC) and the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) have equipped 500 farmers in 17 communities in Edo state with practical climate-smart farming skills, technical support and access to quality inputs, finance and markets.
The initiative was delivered through two Green Field Days held on September 28 and 29, 2026, in Udo, Ovia South-West Local Government Area, and Odighi, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, respectively.
Held under the theme, “From Training to Adoption: Promoting Improved and Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices”, the events were organised as part of the PIND/Okomu CSR Livelihood Project.
The field days built on demonstration plots established to show farmers how improved agricultural practices can increase productivity, reduce production risks and strengthen farm profitability.
During the sessions, PIND’s Technical Service Providers demonstrated the use of improved cassava stems, appropriate planting methods, spacing and farm-establishment techniques, alongside commodity-specific practices for oil palm, cocoa and rubber.
Selected farmers also received adoption-support inputs, including cassava stems, fertilisers and herbicides, based on their commodity needs, to begin applying the demonstrated practices on their farms.
Speaking on behalf of Graham Hefer, managing director of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Sam Aisien, OOPC’s smallholder scheme manager, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening livelihoods in neighbouring communities.
“Our goal is to ensure that investments in neighbouring communities strengthen livelihoods in practical and lasting ways. When farmers can see what works, access the right inputs and remain connected to technical and market support, they are better positioned to improve productivity, build resilient farm businesses and ultimately improve their living conditions,” he said.
Misan Edema-Sillo, PIND’s economic development manager, who delivered remarks on behalf of Sam Ogbemi Daibo, PIND’s executive director, said training was more effective when farmers could apply what they had learnt.
“Training creates value when farmers can apply what they learn. These field days help close the gap between knowledge and adoption by combining field-based demonstrations with appropriate inputs, local advisory services and market connections that can continue beyond the event,” he said.
The Green Field Days also connected farmers with local technical service providers who can provide continuing advisory and mentorship services.
Participants engaged accredited input dealers, large buyers, financial institutions and other market actors to improve their access to services, finance, inputs and markets through existing commercial channels.
The approach is designed to help farmers sustain the practices introduced during the field days without depending indefinitely on project support.
The field days mark another milestone in OOPC’s ₦1.2 billion, three-year partnership with PIND to promote sustainable development in neighbouring communities.
In August, the partners commissioned a 61-kWp solar mini-grid in Gbelebu community to provide reliable electricity to an initial 100 households and businesses.
Through the livelihood initiative, OOPC and PIND are strengthening the local agricultural market system by linking practical training with continuing technical support, quality inputs, finance and commercial relationships.
The partners said the approach would create clearer pathways for farmers to improve productivity, manage climate and production risks, and build more profitable livelihoods.
