By: Tolulope Oluwole
Barry Callebaut Nigeria has rewarded not less than 3,000 cocoa farmers in Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Cross Rivers in with premiums from the 2022/2023 cocoa farming season.
The farmers were rewarded with cash prizes, farm inputs and awards to serve as an encouragement to them to deliver quality cocoa.
This is aimed at supporting sustainable cocoa farming and giving back to farmers, encouraging them to deliver quality cocoa and to ensure that they serve as models to others and to make Nigerian Cocoa recognized and acceptable globally.
The Sustainability Operations Manager of Barry Callebaut Nigeria, Mr Mujeeb Oniyide stated this in Akure at the flag off of premium distribution to farmers from different communities in Ondo State.
Presenting the rewards to the farmers, Mr Mujeeb Oniyide noted that in supporting the National Economic Development plans, many of the beneficiaries of the premium would be receiving the payment digitally through a wallet system created for the farmer.
He pointed out that the aim of Barry Callebaut Nigeria, is to improve the financial inclusion of cocoa farmers in the rural settlements across producing States in the country.
According to Oniyide, “Cocoa Farmers Receives Premium from Barry Callebaut Nigeria: As measure of supporting sustainable cocoa farming and giving more back to cocoa farmers, Barry Callebaut
Nigeria is giving out a premium payment worth of 171 Million Naira for cocoa supplied to the company for 2022-2023 season for farmers in Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Cross River states.
“This is a significant increase
compare to 17 Million shared to farmers in the previous season to farmers in just 2 states (Ondo & Osun).
“In supporting the National Economic Development plans, many of the beneficiaries of this premium will be
receiving the payment digitally through a wallet system created for the farmer. This is aimed at improving the financial inclusion of our cocoa farmers in the rural settlements.
“This premium payment is in line with the mandate of the company’s Cocoa Horizon sustainability programme which aim at improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities through the promotion of sustainable, entrepreneurial farming, improved productivity, and community development.
“Similarly, Barry Callebaut has trained over 5,000 cocoa farmers in Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Cross Rivers on good agricultural practices with strategic plans of measuring the impacts of the trainings. To also support these farmers and improve their productivity, farm inputs such as spraying machine, rain boots, cutlasses, wheel barrows – and many more were shared to farmers in the cause of the season.
“Barry Callebaut through the Cocoa Horizon continue to relate closely with local farmers on how to improve their yield, shun cocoa farming activities in protected areas and support “Zero Child Labour” programmes.
“Recently over 2,500 farmers were sensitized on critical issues surrounding Child Labour and Forced Labour in order to let the farmers know that they have moral responsibility to stop children from working in cocoa plantations by allowing them to face their education as so much required.
“As part of our #ForeverChocolate Strategy, over 65,000 were giving to over 250 farmers in 20 communities in Ondo and Cross River States for them to also have improved varieties of cocoa that will improve their productivities. Similarly, 6,500 non-cocoa seedlings like Avocado Pear, Bush Mango and Afara were also
shared so it can serve as shade trees in cocoa farms, mitigate against climate change and also serves as alternative means or source of income for the farmer in the near future.
“The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 and even beyond to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. The program will continue to focus on the activities that are proven to make the biggest impact always based on past learnings, data and research.
“Looking beyond 2025: New ambitions are added around a transformative cocoa farming model supporting living income, community empowerment and low carbon farming practices to support customers to reach Net Zero by 2050,” said Mujeeb Oniyide.
Mr Lawrence Afere, the founder of Spring Board Farmers Cooperative in Ondo State appreciated Barry Callebaut Nigeria for their support, adding that the rewards are timely.
While urging the cocoa farmers to keep up the good works and put more efforts in the production quality of their cocoa, Afere promised Barry Callebaut that the farmers would continue to do their best.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Paulinus Obinna appreciated Barry Callebaut for their thoughtful gift, stressing that it will go a long way and spur them to do more.
Also, Alhaja Adenike Tawakalitu Ogbera commended Barry Callebaut, noting that the rewards will bring out more farmers and those who are already in cocoa farming will be encouraged to produce more quality cocoa.
