By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Cocoa farmers operating within the forest regions of Idanre and Akure in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently reconsider the newly proposed government policy regulating farming activities in forest reserves, Vanguard reports .
The farmers, through their lawyer, Prof. Olugbenga Oke-Samuel, made their plea in a letter addressed to the governor, citing concerns over the financial strain imposed by the Polygon Mapping Initiative and Agro-Forestry Programme — both introduced in line with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The letter stated that the farmers are requesting “a downward review of the ₦250,000 per hectare levy to reflect the economic realities of peasant farmers.”
“We write on behalf of our clients, indigenous cocoa farmers operating within the forest areas of Idanre and Akure, to respectfully seek your compassionate intervention regarding the newly proposed Government Policy on farming activities in forest reserves, particularly the Polygon Mapping initiative and the Agro-Forestry program, introduced in compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR),” the letter read.
While commending the state government’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability and align with global trade standards, the farmers argued that the policy’s cost implications were “deeply burdensome and threaten their livelihoods.”
Under the proposed framework, each farmer is expected to pay ₦250,000 per hectare — ₦150,000 for polygon mapping and ₦100,000 for Agro-Forestry — with a permit valid for just five years.
The farmers noted that the new policy would create severe economic hardship, especially as cocoa prices have plunged from ₦14,000 to ₦6,000 per kilo, while the Ministry of Agriculture recently increased grading fees from ₦11,000 per tonne to ₦22,000 per kilo — a situation that translates to ₦660,000 in levies per trailer of cocoa.
They explained that indigenous farmers have consistently paid ₦20,000 per hectare under the previous regime, showing commitment to sustainable practices.
On disparities in mapping costs, the farmers stated that exporters in the state had been conducting mapping exercises free of charge for farmers in other areas and questioned why the state government could not subsidise or reduce costs for local farmers.
They also criticised the ₦100,000 Agro-Forestry levy for tree planting, describing it as excessive, noting that “a measure of seeds capable of producing 1,000 trees costs only ₦5,000,” which raises “concerns about fairness and transparency.”
The letter further accused the state of permit discrimination, noting that while smallholder farmers are given only five-year permits, large-scale investors enjoy decades-long leases at significantly lower rates.
They listed examples including:
- JB Farms Ltd (Ore-Otutele Forest Reserve): 14,000 hectares, 50-year permit, ₦50 million annually (₦3,572 per hectare).
- SAO Agro: 10,000 hectares, 80-year permit, ₦20 million annually (₦2,000 per hectare).
- Tropic Palm Oil Ltd (Ute Owo Forest Reserve): 14,000 hectares, 40-year permit, ₦30 million annually (₦2,150 per hectare).
The farmers argued that since cocoa trees have a productive lifespan of over 40 years, it is unjust to restrict local farmers to a five-year tenure while granting investors up to 80 years.
They also lamented that they are solely responsible for constructing access roads and providing basic infrastructure within forest zones — a further strain on their limited resources.
The farmers therefore urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to:
- Subsidise or fully sponsor the polygon mapping exercise to aid compliance with EUDR.
- Extend the farming permit to at least 50 years.
- Review the Agro-Forestry charges to reflect real market costs.
Reaffirming their trust in the governor’s commitment to fairness and inclusive governance, the farmers expressed hope that the state would review the policy in the interest of equity and economic justice.