Through a bill, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Rodolfo Zea Navarro, will seek Colombia's adherence to the Council of Palm Oil Producers, which will bring different benefits such as promoting, developing and strengthening cooperation in cultivation. palm oil and industry, in addition to ensuring the economic development and well-being of the member countries.

“With this new bill we want to add Colombia to the Council of Oil Palm Producing Countries (CPOPC), in order to strengthen mutual cooperation between producing nations, in order to address the economic challenges faced by the sector in Colombia. the dynamics that are imposed on international markets, ”said the head of the agricultural portfolio.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, by Minister Zea Navarro, Colombia's adhesion to the Council of Palm Oil Producers will also promote the development of the industry of this product in producing countries, improve the well-being of small growers, develop and establish a global framework of principles, promote cooperation and investment to develop sustainable and environmentally friendly oil palm zones (including green economic zones).

The bill will also address impediments to palm oil trade, cooperate in research, development, and training, and undertake activities and functions deemed desirable in the interest of the palm oil industry.

“The idea is to work hand in hand, between the Ministry of Agriculture and the second committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as with the plenary sessions of Congress, in order to achieve this important adhesion, which was a request from the union , and it will also benefit the producers ", added Zea Navarro.

Currently, the cultivation of oil palm is present in 161 municipalities in 21 departments throughout the national territory, generating more than 185,000 jobs, between direct and indirect, of which 73,000 are associated with the primary productive activity, while the remaining 112,000 They are related to the agro-industrial activity of the productive chain focused on the 67 palm nuclei.

At the moment, the productive activity in Colombia brings together more than 6,250 producers, of which about 5,036 are small-scale palm growers.

Now, in the first seven months of the year, exports of this product have represented 436,000 tons, representing US $ 281 million, generating an increase of 11.5% compared to the same period of the previous year when the income was US $ 252 million.

"The bet is to continue increasing the economy of the sector by opening the borders of this product to other countries, and adhesion to the council will allow it," said Minister Zea Navarro.