Nigeria’s Cocoa Farmers Association has unveiled a strategic plan to enhance sustainable cocoa production, focusing on youth entrepreneurship and adherence to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulations (EUDR). The communiqué, released at the National Cocoa Festival in Calabar, Cross River State, emphasizes the critical need for Nigeria to meet EUDR standards to increase foreign exchange earnings and strengthen its non-oil exports.
The association highlighted the importance of land mapping within cocoa cultivation areas, a move aimed at establishing traceability and sustainable practices across the cocoa value chain. The communiqué stresses that developing deforestation-free production strategies is essential not only for ecosystem preservation but also for meeting international standards that can open up additional export opportunities. The association believes this approach will position Nigeria as a leading global player in sustainable cocoa production.
In addition to environmental compliance, the association calls for innovative strategies to attract youth into cocoa farming and processing. According to the communiqué, a lack of accurate production data hampers investment and sector planning. Boosting local cocoa consumption is seen as a critical step to reduce reliance on exports and stimulate local demand, with calls to promote cocoa products within Nigeria as a sustainable growth strategy.
The communiqué also addresses significant obstacles faced by cocoa farmers, including soil degradation, pest infestations, and the challenges of accessing affordable financing. Farmers argue that enhanced financial support for climate-smart agricultural practices would significantly increase productivity. They further advocate for support in agrochemical handling training to ensure responsible and safe application, a measure that could improve crop yield and align with global safety standards.
The association recommends stronger partnerships among stakeholders and increased support from the government to research institutes working on climate-smart solutions for cocoa farming. By enhancing the adoption of innovative practices, Nigeria can mitigate challenges within the sector, such as climate change impacts, while also promoting environmentally responsible practices in line with EUDR compliance.
Additionally, the communiqué calls for the National Cocoa Management Committee to take the lead in creating a unified data system for the cocoa value chain. This data synchronization will provide essential insights to stakeholders and facilitate strategic planning. The Cocoa Farmers Association also advocates for increased sensitization efforts to educate farmers and stakeholders about EUDR compliance, aiming to make Nigeria’s cocoa sector more resilient and competitive in the global market.
