The potential for climate-smart palm oil production in Ghana and Nigeria: a scoping review of challenges and opportunities

Cowan, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7473-7916; Drewer, Julia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6263-6341. 2025 The potential for climate-smart palm oil production in Ghana and Nigeria: a scoping review of challenges and opportunities. UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 50pp.

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Abstract/Summary

•Palm oil is a vital agricultural commodity in Ghana and Nigeria, supporting livelihoods and contributing to national economies. However, despite its economic importance, the sector faces mounting challenges related to sustainability, climate resilience, and productivity. Smallholder farmers, who account for the majority of production, often operate with limited resources, outdated practices, and weak market access, resulting in low yields and economic vulnerability. At the same time, increasing global scrutiny on deforestation, carbon emissions, and land-use change places pressure on producers to adopt more sustainable practices. •While significant research and investment have been directed toward making palm oil production more sustainable in Southeast Asia, far less attention has been given to West Africa. Many climate-smart innovations, including improved agronomic practices, efficient milling technologies, and sustainability certification schemes, have not been widely adopted in the region. A key challenge is the lack of context-specific research and engagement with smallholder farmers to develop solutions tailored to local environmental, social, and economic conditions. Without better access to knowledge, resources, and financial support, smallholders struggle to transition toward more sustainable and climate-resilient production systems. •This report was developed to address these gaps by identifying opportunities, barriers, and potential pathways for climate-smart palm oil production in Ghana and Nigeria. Through collaboration with a trilateral network between the UK, Brazil, and West Africa, it seeks to facilitate knowledge exchange and support targeted interventions that can improve sustainability, productivity, and climate resilience in the sector. By assessing existing challenges and highlighting areas for action, the report aims to provide a foundation for future research, policy development, and investment in sustainable palm oil production in West Africa.

Item Type:	Publication - Report (Other)
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Land-Atmosphere Interactions (2025-)
Funders/Sponsors:	Innovate UK
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Full text freely available via Official URL link.
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Meteorology and Climatology
Date made live:	08 Apr 2025 11:47 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/539230

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