Nigerian cocoa farmers have voiced concerns about the Deforestation Regulation of the European Union, which is scheduled to go into effect in December 2024. The president of the Nigerian Cocoa Farmers Association, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, emphasized that if Sustainability concerns like deforestation and traceability are not addressed, the $770 million cocoa business in the nation may suffer. Farmers are requesting that the EU delay the regulation’s introduction until December 2025 in order to provide smallholder farmers, who presently do not have enough information about it, more time to prepare.
However, Nigerian cocoa growers are making efforts to adhere to best practices, which include creating training programs, advocating for change, and protecting the environment. Cocoa is among the commodities that would be impacted by the regulation, which forbids the entry of products linked to deforestation into the EU market. With 6.5% of the world’s production and a sizable share of its agricultural exports coming from Nigeria, the country is a major producer of cocoa. By making sure that goods that are introduced into the EU market are not associated with deforestation or Forest degradation, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) seeks to stop deforestation worldwide.
Collaboration with foreign groups to obtain financial support for farmers.
Commodities covered by the Legislation include wood, palm oil, soy, coffee, cocoa, rubber, cattle, and their derivatives. It requires that these goods be made lawfully, without causing deforestation, and with a strong traceability framework in place. After an 18-month transition period, the regulation went into effect on June 29, 2023, and it will be fully implemented on December 30, 2024. Nigerian smallholder cocoa grower John Oladapo expressed his worries, saying, “The new EU regulations could devastate our livelihoods.” We don’t have the tools or expertise to finish these demanding tasks in the time allotted.”
These feelings were also expressed by Maryam Yusuf, a Farmer from Cross River State: “Our primary source of income is in jeopardy. To adjust to these developments, we require additional time and assistance.” The Nigerian government has taken many steps to resolve the looming EUDR in response to the worries expressed by the cocoa producers. In order to inform farmers about sustainable practices and traceability standards, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has started awareness campaigns and training initiatives. In addition, the government is collaborating with foreign groups to obtain financial support and technical guidance to enable farmers to shift to producing cocoa without deforestation.
Complying with the EUDR could help Nigerian cocoa growers in the long run.
According to a Ministry official, “We are dedicated to helping our farmers and making sure Nigeria stays a major player in the global cocoa market.” In order to investigate flexible implementation schedules and extra assistance measures, we are actively interacting with the EU.” Nigeria is not the only country dealing with issues pertaining to the EUDR. Similar problems are being faced by other significant cocoa-producing nations, such as Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Since a sizeable percentage of the populations in both nations depend on cocoa growing, they are worried about how the new law would affect their economies.
Despite difficulties in contacting smallholder farmers, Côte d’Ivoire, the country that produces more than 40% of the world’s cocoa, has been putting national traceability systems and sustainability initiatives into place. Ghana has been fortifying its Cocoa Management Systems to guarantee adherence, but it still has problems with funding and providing farmers with logistical support. Complying with the EUDR could help Nigerian cocoa growers in the long run, despite the short-term difficulties. Better prices for chocolate made without deforestation could result from compliance since it could open up more sustainable markets in the EU and abroad.
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Enhancement in production and quality through improved agricultural techniques recommended by the EUDR might guarantee a more robust cocoa industry. Furthermore, modernizing farming methods and Infrastructure could improve farmers’ livelihoods in the long run by providing access to international Finance and support for sustainability efforts. According to environmental economist Dr. Adetola Akinbode, “Despite the transition’s challenges, it may open the door for a more lucrative and sustainable cocoa industry in Nigeria.” Nigerian cocoa producers are expected to prosper in the long run due to rising consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced goods on a worldwide scale.