The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has launched the Deforestation-Free Cocoa Initiative (DFCI) in Ondo State, marking a major step toward sustainable cocoa farming and forest preservation in Nigeria.
At a workshop held on March 12 in Akure, stakeholders emphasized the need for tangible actions, including traceability systems, farmer training, and climate-smart agricultural practices, to achieve deforestation-free cocoa production. Organized in partnership with Palladium, the event brought together industry players committed to reshaping the future of cocoa farming.
Dr. Mawuli Coffie, Country Director of the WCF, led the discussions, stressing that reversing deforestation requires more than policy talks—it demands concrete action from cocoa processors. He urged companies to invest in sustainability by implementing traceability systems, supporting farmer education, and funding community initiatives that promote climate-smart agriculture. He also highlighted the need for processors like Johnvents Group to integrate their traceability systems with national frameworks, ensuring their commitments align with the broader DFCI goals.
Johnvents Group, represented by Caroline Omotosho and Bamikole Sunday, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable cocoa sourcing. Omotosho outlined the company’s sustainability program, Nourished Crop, Better Farmer, launched in 2022 under the Rainforest Alliance framework. She stated that the initiative aims to empower 150,000 farmers and restore 300,000 hectares of degraded farmland over the next decade, ensuring long-term resilience in the cocoa sector.
Stakeholders at the event stressed the importance of rehabilitating aging farms, establishing tree-based farm boundaries, and expanding regenerative agricultural practices. With a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) set to be signed on March 20, 2025, between the WCF, Propcorm+, and the governments of Cross River and Ondo States, the foundation for a deforestation-free cocoa industry in Nigeria is taking shape.
