World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), in collaboration with Palladium, recently orchestrated an inspiring gathering of industry stakeholders to pledge towards a sustainable cocoa production future. This noteworthy workshop heralded its commencement on March 12th in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. The occasion celebrated the inauguration of the Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative (DFCI), a significant stride toward preserving Nigeria’s lush forests while revitalizing the age-old cocoa farming traditions.
As illustrated by Dr. Mawuli Coffie, the Country Director of the World Cocoa Foundation, this workshop heralded the first chapter of the Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative (DFCI) within Ondo State. The gathering attracted a varied array of stakeholders and partners, including entities like Palladium, Trace, Johnvents, and even local government representatives. The urgency of the matter becomes strikingly clear as one considers that over 60% of the forest cover in Cross River and Ondo States has vanished over the last two decades. This compelling statistic begs the question: can we afford to lose more, or will we chart a new course towards preservation and sustainability?
Dr. Mawuli, a passionate advocate for sustainable farming, vividly expressed that transcending the challenge of deforestation-free cocoa farming requires more than just positive policy discourse; it demands unwavering commitment from cocoa processors and tangible actions. He drove home the point that companies must champion change through the adoption of traceability systems, active investments in farmer education, and encouragement of community-based projects that promote sustainable farming endeavors. “Individual companies must invest in sustainability through traceability systems, farmer training, or community initiatives,” Dr. Mawuli emphasized, his voice resonating with hopeful conviction.
Delving deeper, Dr. Mawuli elaborated that companies can leave an indelible impact by spearheading the establishment of community resource centers, disseminating enhanced cocoa seedlings, and shade trees, alongside empowering farmers with climate-smart agricultural practices. It’s a vision that inspires action; imagine a network of community centers where ancient wisdom meets modern techniques, cultivating a shared promise of nature’s stewardship.
Highlighting Johnvents Group as an exemplary participant, Dr. Mawuli remarked, “Processors like Johnvents can elevate this by intertwining their traceability systems with national frameworks, ensuring their deforestation-free commitments align with the broader Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative (DFCI).” His words struck a chord, reminding all that while processors may sit at the helm of sustainable transformation, true progress stems from orchestrated and inclusive endeavors.
Representing Johnvents Group, Caroline Omotosho (Managing Director, Johnvents Industries) and Mr. Bamikole Sunday (Managing Director, Premium Cocoa Products Limited Ile Oluji), reaffirmed the group’s unwavering dedication to procuring responsibly sourced cocoa. Their ongoing initiatives resonate deeply with the overarching objectives of the Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative (DFCI), safeguarding not just the environment but also the dignity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Think about it—every cocoa pod harvested comes with a tale of hope, hard work, and harmony with nature.
In an emotive address during the workshop, Mrs. Omotosho articulated Johnvents Industries’ resolute stance: “In 2022, we launched our cocoa sustainability program: Nourished Crop, Better Farmer to align with the core principles of the Rainforest Alliance. Our mission is to enhance farmer livelihoods, uphold workers’ rights, preserve biodiversity, and combat climate change. Over the next decade, we aim to empower 150,000 farmers and restore 300,000 hectares of degraded farmland, ensuring long-term resilience and sustainability in the cocoa industry.” Her vision paints hope—a tapestry of empowered farmers and revivified landscapes, serenaded by nature’s cadence.
Continuing, she explained, “Our sustainability initiative is designed to comply with international benchmarks while directly improving farmers’ economic well-being. Through transparent tracking, we provide consumers and partners with the assurance that our certified cocoa is ethically sourced, with zero contribution to deforestation.” Her words beckon the conscientious consumer, offering a comforting transparency that echoes the assurance of ethical sourcing—a commodity beyond price.
The workshop’s key recommendations from stakeholders underscored the prime importance of revamping languishing farms, establishing verdant farm boundaries through expanding regenerative agricultural methods, and prioritizing environmentally sustainable practices. The journey toward this sustainable vision continues inexorably, setting a pivotal milestone with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) scheduled for signing by March 20, 2025, between the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Propcorm+, and the governments of Cross River and Ondo States. Indeed, the roadmap to a sustainable cocoa farming revolution in Nigeria has never been more vivid.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
