Nigeria’s leading commodities market player, AFEX, marked a milestone as they celebrated their cocoa farmers on their sustainability list at the Certified Cocoa Farmer Premium event.

In his speech at the event in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Managing Director, AFEX Fair Trade, Kamaldeen Raji, said cocoa farmers who have adopted the sustainable approach to cocoa production, adhered to AFEX incentives, deserve to be celebrated and made to understand that no matter how little they think they have done, they have immensely contributed to the value chain.

He said: “AFEX has always promoted sustainable agricultural practices, the aim is to see that in the nearest future, all cocoa farmers spanning from the smallholder farmers and beyond practice and utilise sustainable agricultural mechanisms and management methods.

AFEX’s big vision to see Africa feed itself has impacted over 200,000 smallholder farmers, in view of this, they are well positioned to help more farmers grow through disbursement of input loans down to provision of post-harvest storage facilities and grant easy access to market.

Over the years, AFEX activities in the cocoa value chain has cut across engagement with cocoa farmers, sustainability, and engagement with clients (domestic and foreign). In a bid to improve the productivity of cocoa farmers, AFEX has maintained a consistent commitment to providing cocoa farmers with key inputs and especially certifications to ensure that they are harvesting products of very high standards.

AFEX through this event has acknowledged the significance of these farmers as key players in the cocoa system and is celebrating them.