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The Agriculture ministry has asked the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) to expedite the process of approving the oil palm project in Masaka District.

The plan to roll out oil palm growing in the district was hatched three years ago, but challenges in land acquisition and securing Nema’s approval have both delayed the start of the project.

Mr Anthony Wanyoto, the communication and knowledge management officer at the ministry, said securing Nema approval is crucial since part of the areas selected for the project are along the shores of Lake Victoria.

“Since this oil palm project is going to be implemented in areas located in a narrow belt (25-30 km) along Lake Victoria shores, it is a pre-requisite by international standards to assess how far it can affect the biodiversity and general environment of the area before being launched,” he said during an interview on Tuesday.

He added that many farmers from different parts of the district have reached out to them expressing interest to grow oil palm trees, but such requests will wait until Nema approves the project.

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