According to Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Willie Bett, the country spends over Ksh 16 billion (about $1.6 million) annually on imported palm oil. Growing the plant domestically would reduce this cost while opening new income streams for farmers, officials said.
How much does a palm tree grow in Kenya?
To start out, he bought 300 seedlings from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) at Sh250 each. One acre accommodates 42 palm trees, according to Mr Mambo, and a stem of the crop yields up to Sh5,400 a year.
How can Kenya reduce its reliance on imports of palm oil?
Kenya is looking to increase its own production to reduce reliance on imports. Officials say producing palm oil domestically would reduce importation costs while opening new income streams for farmers. Kenya is also looking to cash in on the industry’s profitability and efficiency as global demand for palm oil rises.
Will Kenya’s oil palm plantations increase deforestation?
But critics worry that increasing palm oil production in Kenya may come at a cost. They say smallholder farmers could lose out to industrial producers, and clearing land for oil palm plantations could increase deforestation and carbon emissions.
Is Africa the next growth spot for palm oil production?
As demand grows, Africa is the next growth spot for palm oil production. Dominic Waughray, Head of Public-Private Partnerships at the World Economic Forum, said that the declaration shows how the commitments made by global businesses to remove deforestation from palm oil supply chains are changing the global market.
What is palm oil production in Malaysia?
Palm oil production in Malaysia. Palm oil production is vital for the economy of Malaysia, which is the world’s second- largest producer of the commodity after Indonesia. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) is a government agency responsible for the promotion and development of the palm oil sector in the country.