By Okojie Francisca
The Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the Sustainable Trade Initiative, Netherlands (IDH), has organised a sensitization programme for cocoa and oil palm smallholder farmers within the Okomu landscape on the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR).
The training, which took place at the ADP Agric Hub in Benin City, aimed to enlighten farmers and community representatives on the requirements of the new EU regulation and its implications for Nigeria’s agricultural exports.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Dr. Jerry Uwangue, represented by the Director of Produce Services, Mr. Onaghama Nosakhare, described the event as a milestone in the state’s efforts to promote sustainable and deforestation-free agricultural production.
He said, “Today’s gathering marks a major step in our collective journey towards achieving sustainable and deforestation-free agricultural production in Edo State,”
“As you are aware, the EUDR is a key policy framework by the European Union that mandates that certain commodities, including cocoa and oil palm, placed on the EU market must not be linked to deforestation or forest degradation.”
He noted that the regulation carries significant implications for farmers, traders, and policymakers, urging participants to take responsibility in ensuring that Edo’s commodities meet international standards.
Uwangue said, “The path to compliance begins with awareness and capacity building. That is why this sensitization is designed to empower you, community contact persons and farmers’ representatives, with the knowledge and tools required to align your production systems with global sustainability standards,”
In his remarks, IDH Senior Programme Manager, Mr Ogwu Abraham, emphasised the need for producers located in the forest to engage in practices that are contributing to environmental integrity of the forest reserve. He also emphasised the objectives of the National Initiative for Sustainable and Climate-Smart Oil Palm Smallholders (NISCOPS) programme which focuses on sustainable livelihood, sustainable production of commodities and forest protection.
He enjoined the participants to be attentive and get a full grasp of the training so they can cascade to their subject at home.
The training featured a presentation by Mr. Abdul Kazeem from the Rainforest Alliance, who spoke on “EUDR Compliance, Traceability and Sustainable Land Use.”
He highlighted the alarming rate of forest loss in Nigeria, noting that between 2001 and 2022, the country lost about 1.14 million hectares of tree cover, an area equivalent to the size of Enugu, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory combined.
He warned, “If our commodities are not internationally recognised, it will affect our economy,”
“The EU’s objectives with this law include reducing global warming, boosting the consumption of deforestation-free products, conserving biodiversity, and ensuring that commodities are produced in compliance with environmental and local laws.”
One of the participants, Mr. Hassan Tajudeen, a cocoa farmer from Hassan Camp in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about the regulation.
He said, “I’m happy to be in this training today. I have learnt many things, the effects of deforestation and EUDR compliance,”
“When I return to my village, I will introduce what I learnt to my people. I will be even happier if they can bring the training to my community so more farmers can benefit.”
The sensitisation which recorded over fifty participants is part of the Edo State government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen farmers’ capacity for sustainable production and ensure that agricultural commodities from the state remain competitive in the international market.