The Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) has called on the federal government to adopt a more hands-on approach in boosting sustainable cocoa production, as Nigeria faces mounting pressures to meet European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) standards.
In a communiqué issued by CFAN President Adeola Adegoke following its third national cocoa festival, the association outlined critical strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s cocoa value chain and ensure sustainability.
CFAN urged the government to prioritize local processing and consumption of cocoa products while advocating for updated and harmonized data on the cocoa industry.
According to CFAN, efforts led by the National Cocoa Management Committee (NCMC) are essential to achieve a consolidated view of the cocoa value chain and enhance traceability across the sector.
The association also stressed the need for comprehensive awareness campaigns to inform farmers and stakeholders about the EUDR and other relevant international regulations. “Farmers should leverage available sustainability initiatives and adopt best agronomic practices,” Adegoke noted, emphasizing that the government, NCMC, and National Task Force (NTF) must work together to eliminate adulterated agrochemicals from the industry.
CFAN called for capacity-building initiatives to train farmers in the safe use of agrochemicals and encourage diversification for long-term sustainability.
Among CFAN’s recommendations were a call for updated forest cover and land-use maps in cocoa-producing states, and a revised land tenure system to support sustainable practices.
The association also emphasized the importance of a national traceability system, recommending collaboration with development partners and industry experts to track cocoa production.
CFAN further advised the federal government to introduce policies supporting agroforestry practices, which integrate trees with cocoa farming, to enhance environmental sustainability.
“Effective collaboration and feedback mechanisms between stakeholders and industry players are critical,” CFAN highlighted.
To attract youth into the sector, CFAN encouraged the government to create an enabling environment for private sector investment and youth participation in the cocoa value chain.
Infrastructure improvements in rural cocoa-growing areas were also recommended, along with policies to stabilize the naira and improve farmers’ access to foreign exchange for necessary imports.
The communiqué concluded with a call for partnership between the NCMC and other leading cocoa-producing countries to exchange strategies on sustainable growth.
CFAN also urged the government and ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to establish platforms for youth to learn skills related to the cocoa value chain, such as soap making, chocolate production, and cocoa powder processing, in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.
Held under the theme “Calabar 2024,” CFAN’s third national cocoa festival brought together over 300 participants, including local and international stakeholders, to discuss pathways toward EUDR compliance and sustainability through youth entrepreneurship.