Clarion Olusegun
The Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA) was officially launched in Nigeria, yesterday, at a grand ceremony held at the NUT Guest House, Samonda, Ibadan to strengthen the cocoa industry and support farmers across the value chain.
At the event, which brought together key stakeholders in the cocoa industry, the National President of CFAN and President/Global Coordinator of COFAAA, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, highlighted the transformation of CFAN under his leadership, stating that it has become “the most organized with the largest membership not only in Nigeria but in Africa.”
He revealed that cocoa farmers, once voiceless, now have a strong presence in Nigeria, thanks to strategic partnerships and collaborations that have facilitated loans, capacity-building initiatives, policy participation, and cooperative development at the farm gate level.
“The Association has also done a lot of work in synergy with other partners to establish a regulatory institution for the cocoa industry in Nigeria known as the National Cocoa Management Committee,” Adegoke noted.
He attributed his leadership to divine providence and Nigeria’s remarkable progress in the sector, despite not surpassing the production levels of Ivory Coast and Ghana.
“No doubt, the prosperity of cocoa farmers in Nigeria and the leadership success God has used him to build over the years must have been a singular factor to enjoy this privilege among his contemporaries in Africa, bearing in mind that Nigeria does not surpass the production of Ivory Coast and Ghana as at today but, other factors that he possessed that can revolutionize the Africa cocoa industry that is beyond production.”
He expressed his determination to use his leadership in collaboration with other African cocoa stakeholders to change the narrative by pushing African cocoa farmers into unimaginable prosperity.
He further expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries and stakeholders for their support.
He pledged to work with African cocoa stakeholders to push African cocoa farmers into unimaginable prosperity and to create a strong, united voice for African cocoa farmers.
“At COFAAA level, Nigerian cocoa farmers have a lot to benefit in the areas of good governance, incentivizing the industry through collaborations with other global cocoa institutions.
“This will be deliberate, especially to empower African cocoa farmers through various initiatives and innovations that will bring all African cocoa farmers together regardless of geographical locations, but united by cocoa,” he stated.
Adegoke also called for unity among African cocoa farmers, stressing that while Africa produces 70% of the world’s cocoa (4.7 million metric tonnes), Nigerian farmers’ yield of 300-450kg per hectare is unprofitable.
He urged African nations to work together for the prosperity of the cocoa economy.
In his address, the National President of COPAN, Otunba Felix Oladunjoye, congratulated Adegoke and reaffirmed COPAN’s support.
He addressed the association’s past disputes with NAFDAC over excessive charges on cocoa exports and expressed appreciation for their removal.
He further emphasized the need for collaboration among cocoa stakeholders to advance the sector.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the South West Regional Director, Mrs. Akeredolu Olayinka, described the cocoa industry as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
She stated that Nigeria’s cocoa and cocoa preparation exports were valued at US$815.04 million in 2023 and accounted for 29% of total agricultural exports, valued at N1.24 trillion.
She commended the formation of COFAAA and its commitment to farmer empowerment, sustainable farming practices, and fair trade.
She said: “The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that Nigeria’s Cocoa export in 2023 accounted for 29% of the total agricultural export valued at N1.24 trillion.
“The establishment of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa, Nigeria Chapter, is expected to
strengthen this vital sector by providing farmers with the support, resources, and platform they need to thrive.
” I commend the efforts of all stakeholders involved in the formation of this alliance. The role of cocoa farmers cannot be overstated. They are the backbone of this industry, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they receive the recognition, training, and fair compensation they deserve.
” I also wish to acknowledge the unwavering commitment of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria in advocating for sustainable farming practices, fair trade, and empowerment of cocoa farmers across the country and the continent at large.
“Nigeria’s cocoa sector stands to benefit immensely from these efforts, as they align with our broader objectives of agricultural growth, sustainability, and food security which is our country’s presidential priority.”
She called the association’s attention to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), urging cocoa stakeholders to ensure compliance.
According to her: “The regulation aims to curb global deforestation, land/forest degradation, biodiversity loss, promote afforestation-free supply chains, reduce the EU’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and protect human and indigenous rights.
“COFAAA is expected to advise her members and cocoa dealers to ensure their products are free from deforestation and degradation and must submit a due diligence statement in this regard.”
On his part, the Chief of Party, USDA-LWR Trace Project in Nigeria, Mr. Nene Akwerty, spoke about the project’s success and its impact in states such as Cross River, Abia, and Akwa-Ibom.
He highlighted collaborations with CFAN at the National Cocoa Festival in Abuja and training programs in Ibadan with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
Representing the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Alhaji Wasiu Adebayo reaffirmed CAN’s support for cocoa farmers through COFAAA and called for increased collaboration among industry players.
Also speaking, Southwest Farmers’ Leader, Chief Dasaolu, commended Adegoke’s achievements at CFAN, noting that his leadership had propelled him to the continental stage. “I believe in his capacity to deliver within any role assigned to him,” he said,
He also urged cocoa farmers to support his leadership.
Deputy President of AFAN, Engr. John Olateru, congratulated Adegoke and emphasized the need for unity among farmers to access government support.
He called for collaboration between COFAAA and AFAN at the regional level.
Hon. Olagunju, Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture in Oyo State, discussed agricultural policies aimed at protecting farmers, including measures to prevent open grazing.
He praised Governor Seyi Makinde for creating an enabling environment for agricultural development in the state.
Mr. Samson Gbadamosi, representing the Director of Cooperative, Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Innovation, described COFAAA’s establishment as a crucial step in advancing the welfare of cocoa farmers in Nigeria and Africa.
The event concluded with the official registration of COFAAA members in Nigeria, led by Hon. Olagunju alongside other dignitaries and cocoa farmer representatives.
Dignitaries present at the event included the South West Regional Director, Mrs. Akeredolu Olayinka, representing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS); the National President of Cocoa Processors Association of Nigeria (COPAN), Otunba Felix Oladunjoye; Deputy President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Engr. John Olateru; the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture in Oyo State, Hon. Olagunju; Southwest Farmers’ Leader, Chief Dasaolu; the representative of the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Alhaji Wasiu Adebayo; the CAN Chairman, Oyo State; and Mr. Samson Gbadamosi, representative of the Director of Cooperative, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Innovation, Oyo State. Also in attendance were the Chief of Party, USDA-LWR Trace Project in Nigeria, Mr. Nene Akwerty, and royal fathers from cocoa-producing communities in Nigeria.
The event also welcomed representatives of cocoa farmers from cocoa-producing states, including Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Ekiti, Cross River, Ogun, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Kwara, Osun, and Benue
