By Faridat Salifu
In a concerted effort to tackle deforestation, stakeholders in the cocoa industry convened recently to kick off the Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative (DFCI) in Ondo State.
The workshop, held in collaboration with the World Cocoa Foundation, Palladium, and Johnvents Group, aims to promote sustainable cocoa farming practices and protect Nigeria’s diminishing forest cover.
Coffie Mawuli, Country Director of the World Cocoa Foundation, highlighted the urgent need for action, pointing out that more than 60 percent of forest cover has been lost in Cross River and Ondo States over the last two decades.
He stressed that achieving deforestation-free cocoa production requires robust traceability systems, extensive farmer training, and the implementation of climate-smart agricultural techniques.
Mawuli urged cocoa processors to take decisive steps towards sustainability, saying, “Companies must actively invest in community initiatives and develop traceability mechanisms to drive real change.”
He noted that integrating these systems with national frameworks is crucial for aligning individual efforts with the broader DFCI objectives.
Caroline Omotosho, Managing Director of Johnvents Industries, shared insights into her company’s sustainability efforts.
She detailed their program, “Nourished Crop, Better Farmer,” which was launched in 2022 and aims to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers while adhering to the principles of the Rainforest Alliance.
Omotosho committed to empowering 150,000 farmers and restoring 300,000 hectares of degraded land over the next decade.
“Our initiative is not just about compliance; it’s about enhancing the economic well-being of farmers while ensuring our cocoa is sourced ethically, contributing zero to deforestation,” she stated.
Bamikole Sunday, Managing Director of Premium Cocoa Products Limited, emphasized the collective responsibility of industry stakeholders in fostering sustainable practices.
He said lasting change can only occur through coordinated efforts and collaboration among all parties involved.
The Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative represents a pivotal step toward a more sustainable cocoa industry in Ondo State, aiming to balance environmental preservation with the economic needs of smallholder farmers.
