By Bukola Olamona
Cocoa farmers in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to review the newly proposed forest farming policy, describing it as financially burdensome and a threat to their livelihoods.
In a letter dated October 30, 2025, and addressed to the governor, the farmers, through their solicitors,Prof Olugbenga Oke-Samuel urged the state government to reconsider aspects of the policy, particularly the Polygon Mapping Initiative and the Agro-Forestry Programme, which were introduced in compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Prof. Oke-Samuel, stated that while the farmers appreciated the state government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global trade standards, the cost implications were too high for indigenous farmers in the forest areas of Idanre and Akure.
According to the letter, each farmer is required to pay N250,000 per hectare, comprising N150,000 for polygon mapping and N100,000 for agro-forestry with a permit valid for only five years.
The firm listed several concerns, including the drastic drop in cocoa prices from N14,000 to N6,000 per kilo, coupled with the recent increase in grading fees from N11,000 per tonne to N22,000 per kilo, translating to a N660,000 levy per trailer of cocoa.
It noted that farmers had previously paid N20,000 per hectare under the former regime, showing compliance with existing regulations and questioned why the new policy imposed higher costs when exporters were already conducting free mapping for farmers in other areas.
On the Agro-Forestry component, the farmers described the N100,000 levy for tree planting as excessive, arguing that a measure of seeds producing 1,000 trees costs only N5,000.
They also protested what they termed “permit discrimination,” pointing out that while peasant farmers were granted only five-year permits, large-scale investors enjoyed multi-decade leases at far cheaper rates per hectare.
The letter cited examples, including JB Farms Limited, which secured 14,000 hectares at Ore-Otutule Forest Reserve for 50 years at N50 million annually (N3,572 per hectare); SAO Agro, with 10,000 hectares for 80 years at N20 million annually (N2,000 per hectare); and Tropic Palm Oil Limited, with 14,000 hectares at Ute Owo Forest Reserve for 40 years at N30 million annually (N2,150 per hectare).
They argued that cocoa trees have a productive lifespan of over 40 years and that it was unjust to confine small-scale indigenous farmers to five-year permits while granting investors long-term access.
The farmers further lamented that they were responsible for providing access roads and other infrastructure in the forested areas, adding to their financial strain.
Consequently, the farmers appealed for a downward review of the N250,000 per hectare levy, subsidisation or full sponsorship of the polygon mapping exercise, extension of the farming permit to at least 50 years, and a reduction in the agro-forestry charge to reflect market realities.
They expressed optimism that Governor Aiyedatiwa, known for his commitment to fairness and inclusive development, would intervene in the matter in the interest of justice and economic equity