The project "Olea Vitalis" seeks to enhance the sustainability of organic palm oil and coconut oil production in Côte d'Ivoire by promoting waste upcycling as a strategy to reduce environmental contamination and improve soil fertility among smallholder farmers. In collaboration with local industry partners, the project focuses on converting processing waste – such as palm oil mill residues and coconut shells – into high-quality organic fertilizers through industrial composting and EBC certified biochar production. These climate-friendly innovations prevent environmental contamination, drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance long-term soil health.
In addition to these technical interventions, the project supports smallholder cooperatives in adopting best practices and strengthening their capacity to meet the Bio Suisse certification requirements. Driven by Coop Switzerland's interest to source more sustainably in tropical contexts, FiBL aims to develop and document a business case that reveals how the private sector can contribute to and engage in more resilient, productive, and sustainable farming systems – for their own benefit but also for the environment and smallholder farmers.
"Olea Vitalis" builds upon the previous project "CO2Tropics," which was completed in 2024 (see Further information).
Project manager
