…..Beg Aiyedatiwa for review.
Indigenous cocos farmers operating within the forest areas of Idanre and Akure have appealed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his 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).
This is contained in a letter written to the Governor and signed by their lawyer, Prof Olugbenga Oke-Samuel.
Below is the full text of the letter;
30 October, 2025.
To:
His Excellency,
Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa Executive Govermor, Ondo
Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure
Subject: Appeal for Compassionate Review of Proposed Forest Farming Policy
Your Excellency,
We write on behalf of our clients-the indigenous cocos 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 remerves, particularly the Polygon Mapping initiative and the Agro-Forestry program, introduced in compliance with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
While our clients appreciate the State Government’s commitment to enviromental sustainability and global trade standards, the financial and structural implications of the policy are deeply burdensome and threaten their livelihoods
Under the proposed framework, each farmer is required to pay a levy of N250,000 per hectare-N150,000 for polygon mapping and N100,000 for Agro-Forestry with a farming permit valid for only five years. This policy, though well-intentioned, presents several critical challenges:
Key Concerns
- Economic Hardship:
The price of cocoa has dropped drastically from N14,000 to N6,000 per kilo. Despite this downturn, the Ministry of Agriculture recently increased the grading fee from N11,000 per tonne to N22,000 per kilo, resulting in a N660,000 levy per trailer of cocoa. This dual pressure is unsustainable for peasant farmers.
- Existing Compliance:
Farmers have consistently paid 20,000 per hectare under the previous regime, demonstrating their commitment to regulatory compliance and sustainable practices.
- Disparity in Mapping Costs:
Exporters in Ondo State have been mapping cocoa farmlands at no cost to farmers in free areas, often providing incentives. It is unclear why the State Government cannot subsidize or reduce the cost of mapping for indigenous farmers.
In chambers:
- Agro-Forestry Charges:
The N100,000 levy for tree planting is excessive. A measure of seeds capable of producing 1,000 trees costs only N5,000. This raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the Agro-Forestry component.
- Permit Discrimination:
While peasant farmers are offered only five-year permits, large-scale investors enjoy long-term leases at significantly lower per-hectare costs:
JB Farms Ltd (Ore-Otulrele Forest Reserve): 14,000 hectares, 50-year permit, N50 million annually (N3,572/hectare)
SAO Agro: 10,000 hectares, 80-year permit, N20 million annually (N2.000/hectare)
Tropic Palm Oil Lad (Ute Owo Forest Reserve): 14,000 hectares, 40-year permit, N30 million annually (N2,150/hectare)
Cocoa trees have a productive lifespan of over 40 years. It is unjust to restrict indigenous farmers-many of whom were previously unemployed to a five-year permit while granting investors decades-long access.
- Infrastructure Burden:
Farmers are solely responsible for access roads and other infrastructure in these forested areas, further compounding their financial strain.
Our Clients Appeal
In light of the above, our clients respectfully request:
A downward review of the N250,000 per hectare levy to reflect the economic realities of peasant farmers.
Subsidization or full sponsorship of the polygon mapping exercise to ease compliance with EUDR.
An extension of the farming permit to at least 50 years, allowing farmers to fully benefit from their long-term investment in cocoa cultivation.
A review of Agro-Forestry charges to align with actual market costs of tree planting.
Your Excellency, our clients believe in your commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusive development. We trust that you will consider their plight and act in the interest of fairness and economic justice.
We thank you for your attention and remain available for further engagement on behalf of our clients.
Yours faithfully, For: Lawville Legal Practice
Prof. Olugbenga Oke-Samuel
Principal Partner (Lawyer)
