Asian Journal of Advances in Agricultural Research

Assessment of Co₂ emissions in Oil Palm Cultivation and Processing: A Case Study of Selected Mills in the South-South and South-Western Nigeria

Globally, the increase in oil palm production has generated concern especially its effect on the environment in the tropics where it is mostly cultivated. Studies have shown that the main GHGs associated with the cultivation and processing of oil palm products are CO₂, methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). The objective of this study was to quantify CO₂ emissions from oil palm and palm kernel processing in selected mills within the South-South and South-Western states in Nigeria. CO₂ emission was recorded using a digital CO₂ meter across four mills (Atlantic Imperial oil mill, Vika oil mill, Aro oil mill and Jubilee oil mill) at 07:00hr, 13:00hr and 16:00hr for a period of five months (December 2016-April 2017). Mean values obtained were collated for statistical analysis to obtain mean standard deviations and P-values using the ANOVA and student ‘t’ test. The hot spot of CO₂ emission was recorded at the point of emission at Vika oil mill (4293.00 ppm ± 397.30) which was ten-fold higher than weekly National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) value (404.51) recorded within the last one year. The mean CO₂ emission at all the oil mills were highest at the point of exposure when compared to other sampling points, i.e. 10 meters, 20 meters, 50 meters and control. This study revealed that reducing fossil fuel use is a precondition for off-setting CO₂ emissions in palm oil processing.