EU Deforestation Regulation: FG Unveils White Paper on Compliance Approach
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has launched a White Paper outlining Nigeria’s national strategy for compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The initiative would ensure that agricultural exports are traceable, legally produced, safeguard market access, enhance environmental monitoring framework and verifiably deforestation – free, among others .
The Minister made this disclosure during the Launch of the White Paper on Strategy for EUDR Compliance in Nigeria / the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Establishing a National Framework for Agricultural Produce Traceability, Farmland Monitoring, and Deforestation – Free Supply Chain Verification, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Abuja, recently
Sen. Kyari stated that the White Paper sets out actionable guidelines on traceability systems, deforestation-free supply chains, data collection, and capacity – building for smallholder farmers who make up the bulk of Nigeria’s commodity producers.
He stated further that the national strategy would protect Nigeria’s export revenue, strengthen climate commitments, and ensure that rural communities are not excluded from the global supply chain as international buyers enforce stricter sustainability rules.
As we know, the Minister added, “the European Union Deforestation Regulation sets a new benchmark for agricultural exports. Our commodities must now be traceable to the exact farm boundary, legally produced, and verifiably deforestation free.”
He emphasized that “according to the White Paper, Nigeria faces the risk of losing over one billion dollars in direct export earnings and more than three billion dollars in total economic value each year if we fail to adapt.”
Sen Kyari highlighted that the new compliance strategy is significant and forward-looking, saying it would protect farmers, upgrade value chains, and help Nigeria secure a stronger hold in international markets.
“With proper implementation, this strategy will not only ensure EUDR compliance but position Nigeria as a model for other developing countries pursuing sustainable agricultural transformation while contributing to global environmental and development goals’’. He stressed
The Minister, who informed that the Ministry would collaborate with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), explained that NASRDA will provide satellite imagery, real-time monitoring, and technical leadership, while the Ministry coordinates farmer engagement, policy integration, and nationwide implementation.
He acknowledged that ‘’Nigeria can transform EUDR compliance from a regulatory burden into a competitive advantage by establishing a national traceability system anchored on public-private partnerships, leveraging NASRDA’s geospatial capabilities, and adopting proven models from neighbouring cocoa-producing countries while pioneering AI and block chain-enabled financing solutions’’.
In his remarks, the Director-General, NASRDA, Dr Mathew Adepoju, assured of the Agency’s readiness to support the Ministry through satellite technology and ensuring full implementation of the MoU
He added that the Agency would continue to work closely with the Ministry to strengthen ongoing programmes and initiatives.
Agric Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the move as a significant step toward building a stronger agricultural system, noting that traceability and deforestation concerns have become central issues in global markets.
According to Ezeaja Ikemefuna, FMAFS’s Head of Information, the Highlight of the event was the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Establishing a National Framework for Agricultural Produce Traceability, Farmland Monitoring, and Deforestation – Free Supply Chain Verification between the Ministry and the National Space Research and Development Agency.
