Ondo farmers urge Aiyedatiwa to review forest policy, cite economic hardship
Cocoa farmers in Ondo State have appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to review the proposed forest farming policy, warning that its implementation could force many of them out of business.
Under the policy, each farmer is expected to pay ₦250,000 per hectare, ₦150,000 for polygon mapping, and ₦100,000 for agro-forestry, with a farming permit valid for only five years. The measure is part of the state’s effort to comply with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation.
In a letter to the governor signed by their lawyer, Olugbenga Oke-Samuel, the farmers described the charges as excessive and beyond the capacity of smallholders already facing economic hardship. They appealed for a review to make the policy more affordable.
The farmers, who operate in forest areas across Idanre and Akure, acknowledged the state government’s commitment to environmental sustainability but noted that the current framework posed serious financial and structural challenges.
They urged the government to reduce the ₦250,000 per hectare levy, subsidise or sponsor the polygon mapping exercise, and extend the permit validity to at least 50 years to encourage long-term investment in cocoa farming.
According to them, the proposed charges would deepen economic hardship, discourage youth participation in agriculture, and threaten the future of cocoa production in the state.
The farmers expressed confidence in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s sense of fairness and appealed for “a policy review that promotes both environmental protection and economic justice.”
Earlier, cocoa farmers in Odigbo Local Government Area protested alleged plans by an agro-firm to take over their farmlands, but the state government said it was investigating the matter to identify genuine farmers with verifiable claims.
