Congo: The Next Frontier for the Palm Oil Industry

Abstract

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) originated in West and Central Africa. Some of the earliest scientific breakthroughs that led to the development of the palm oil industry were made in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, earlier known as the Belgian Congo); these include the elucidation of the genetics of the kernel shell thickness and the identification of the basic engineering principles for palm oil extraction. In the past 50 years, Indonesia and Malaysia rapidly expanded palm oil production to account today for over 80% of the world palm oil supply. This accelerated development has significantly contributed to the socioeconomic development of those two countries, but has raised concerns regarding environmental sustainability. Current level of knowledge makes it possible to mitigate the negative impact of palm oil on the environment and to achieve Net-Zero Emission targets. The palm oil industry has proven its ability to lift millions of people out of poverty. With plentiful suitable land, diverse oil palm genetic resources, abundant labor, large palm oil local and regional markets, and commitment to sustainable palm oil sector, the DRC should become the next frontier for palm oil and chart the course for responsible development of a palm oil industry that contributes to human prosperity, social progress, and environmental protection.