Obaseki, Indonesian, Malaysian envoys, brainstorm on poverty eradication through Agric, Plantation at Roman confab

…seek removal of trade barriers in oil palm trade

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday joined the Ambassador of Indonesia to Germany Arif Havaz Oegroseno, Maritime Coordinating Minister of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Malaysian Ambassador to the Vatican, Tan Sri Bernard Gilgal Dompok, at an international conference on poverty eradication in Rome, Italy, to proffer solutions to the myriad of factors bedeviling  efforts to fully harness the gains in the agricultural sector to eradicate poverty in developing countries. 

According to Obaseki, there is a strong correlation between poor agricultural policies that inhibit growth and development and poverty, urging stakeholders to come together with broad minds and adopt policies that are not discriminatory.

He showcased the growing confidence of investors in Edo State, which accounts for the expansion of plantations by Presco Plc, Okomu Oil Plc and other companies in the state.

The governor commended the organisers of the conference and reinforcing the nexus between agriculture, specifically, the plantation industry and poverty eradication with the conference themed: “Eradicating Poverty Through the Agriculture and Plantation Industry to Empower Peace and Humanity.”

The Indonesian delegation noted that the European Union’s discrimination against Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) products has prompted the industry and government to synergise intensively with governments and communities in the European region.

 

Coordinating Minister of Agriculture in Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, explained that the Government of Indonesia is very transparent in addressing environmental issues associated with the development of oil palm plantations and CPO derivatives industries.

 

He added that his country has adopted sustainable palm oil standards and adheres to certification schemes in export destination countries.

 

Experts at the conference held inside the Auditorium of the Pontifical Urban University in the Vatican, Rome, shared experiences of their home countries and states, citing the roles of oil palm plantations and the agricultural sector in poverty reduction.

The well-attended event, attracted policymakers, heads and representatives of governments, members of the diplomatic community, the academia and industry players.

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