By Adeola Mensah | African Business Correspondent
WACOT Limited, a leading food and agro-allied company under the TGI Group, has disbursed more than ₦158 million in Sustainability Differential Payments (SDP) to 2,062 cocoa farmers in Osun State. The initiative marks a significant step in rewarding sustainable agricultural practices and strengthening Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.
The ceremony, held at St. Mary Primary School in Ile-Ife, also honoured 57 outstanding farmers with an additional ₦5.8 million for their exceptional contributions to sustainable cocoa production.
Driving Sustainable Cocoa Farming
The SDP programme is designed to incentivise farmers who meet verifiable sustainability standards, including good agricultural practices, traceability, and environmental safeguards. Speaking at the event, Yosola Onanuga, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at TGI Group, expressed gratitude to the farmers:
“You are very important to us, and we’re happy to be doing this farmer reward ceremony. Thank you for your commitment and consistency in making sure that your cocoa is of the quality that we want. We are here to support you and to extend our gratitude to your commitment to this cocoa family.”
Financial Inclusion Through Technology
The initiative reflects TGI Group’s mission to empower rural communities by integrating financial inclusion and technology. By leveraging digital payment platforms, WACOT ensures transparency, efficiency, and security, while also bringing unbanked and underbanked farmers into the formal financial system.
This approach guarantees that farmers receive their premiums directly and promptly, while equipping them with tools to manage their finances securely.
Farmers Share Their Experiences
Beneficiary farmers shared heartfelt testimonials about the impact of WACOT’s support.
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Olaosun Rebecca, a cocoa farmer, said: “Since the arrival of WACOT Limited and their involvement in our cocoa planting process, they have helped us tremendously. They provided us with medicine and the cocoa plantation has been yielding great harvests. May God continue to bless WACOT.”
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Mr. Chukwuma Agha added: “We have benefited greatly from WACOT Limited. They taught us how to implement climate-smart agricultural practices for our plants. The results have been remarkable.”
Looking Ahead
WACOT Limited reaffirmed its commitment to expanding these efforts by deepening farmer training, scaling up digital payment adoption, and continuing recognition programmes to foster long-term sustainability in cocoa farming.
The event, attended by cooperative leaders and WACOT field officers, underscored the tangible benefits of sustainable agriculture and strengthened trust between farmers and the company.
