Nigerian Agencies Partner to Train Cocoa Farmers on Sustainability, Export Standards

News in Brief:

-500 cocoa farmers in Ogun State were trained on sustainable practices and global export compliance.

-The initiative includes farm mapping, financial support, input provision, and empowerment kits to improve productivity and safety.

In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s cocoa sector and align with global standards, Rasad Nigeria Limited, in partnership with SEFAA and MSME Lab, has trained 500 cocoa farmers across Ogun State.

The initiative focuses on sustainable agricultural practices and compliance with international export regulations, positioning Nigerian cocoa for greater competitiveness in the global market.

Promoting Sustainable Cocoa Farming

Rasaq Adeagbo, founder of Rasad Nigeria Limited, explained that the training is part of the company’s long-term strategy to support smallholder farmers and contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth through agricultural exports.

“The empowerment programme is designed not just to increase yields but to enhance value addition and generate higher returns for farmers and the economy,” Adeagbo said. “Our approach goes beyond profit; it fosters partnerships that create multiplier effects across rural communities.”

Meeting Global Export Standards

Femi Adeniji, Project Lead at MSME Lab, highlighted the importance of aligning with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). It requires traceability, sustainability, and ethical production in cocoa exports.

“Many farmers lack the knowledge and capacity to comply with these standards. This project provides technical training, financial support, farm mapping, and inputs to bridge that gap,” Adeniji explained.

As part of the initiative, 100 farms will be mapped, reaching 500 farmers directly and over 2,000 indirectly. The project also includes financial coordination with farmer cooperatives to ensure transparency and accountability in fund disbursement.

Training Focus and Farmer Empowerment

Elizabeth Dare, head of training for the programme, said the sessions covered sustainable cocoa farming, integrated pest management, and environmental and social governance (ESG) principles.

“Our objective is to improve farmers’ knowledge of good agronomic practices and help them meet international export standards,” Dare noted.

Many participants were learning about compliance requirements for the first time, and continuous follow-up will support the adoption of these best practices.

Farmers who completed the training received empowerment kits including fertilisers, sprayers, protective gloves, pruners, and boots to boost productivity and ensure safety during chemical application. Beneficiaries such as Kola Oloyede commended the organisers.

“This training has opened my eyes to sustainable practices and export standards. I am committed to applying these lessons to improve my farm’s productivity and sustainability,” Oloyede said.