Nigeria’s Ondo state cocoa farmers urge suspension of US$173.18 forest levy 

NIGERIA – Smallholder cocoa farmers in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to suspend the recently introduced N250,000-per-hectare levy for cultivation within the state’s forest reserves.  

The farmers warned that enforcing the fee without broad consultation could devastate livelihoods, deepen rural poverty, and threaten Ondo’s position as Nigeria’s cocoa powerhouse. 

The appeal, contained in an open letter, was submitted by the national president of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and Global President of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA), Adegoke.  

He said the new directive has already created fear, confusion, and despair among smallholder farmers across the state. 

Under the policy, farmers are required to pay N100,000 (US$69.27) for a five-year cultivation permit and an additional N150,000 for polygon mapping, totaling N250,000 (US$173.18) per hectare. 

Farmers described this as an unaffordable and crushing burden given the harsh economic realities they face. Adegoke stressed that thousands of smallholders, who collectively sustain Ondo’s annual cocoa output of about 90,000 metric tonnes, are considering abandoning their farms due to the levy. 

The letter highlighted that some farmers have already ceased farm operations out of fear of enforcement officers, while others questioned whether the government values their contribution to the state’s agricultural economy. Many reportedly feel abandoned by a government that once celebrated their role in cocoa production. 

Adegoke raised concerns about inequities in the application of the levy, noting that while smallholders face high costs for short-term access, large investors reportedly enjoy long-term permits at significantly lower rates.  

He questioned how poor farmers could be charged more than wealthy investors and how longstanding farmers could suddenly be priced out of the land. 

Although the policy is partly linked to compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Adegoke argued that the measure was not intended to financially penalize farmers.  

He emphasized that Ondo farmers are already implementing traceability, agroforestry, and deforestation-free practices, and deserve support rather than additional burdens. He warned that the levy could undermine EUDR compliance, as farmers may view sustainability measures as oppressive. 

The letter called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to suspend enforcement immediately and initiate wide stakeholder consultations.  

Farmers requested an emergency meeting including the governor’s office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, permanent secretaries, CFAN leaders, and community representatives to design a fairer, sustainable alternative. 

They also urged the government to reduce the levy, ensure equitable treatment between smallholders and large investors, and explore subsidies or state-supported mapping programs to ease the financial burden on farmers. 

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