The Cocoa-eco programme in West AfricaFor over a century, cocoa has been the major driver of land use change in the tropical forests of West Africa. The evolution of the “full-sun” cocoa systems, which are now widely adopted, has resulted in the removal of shade trees - which are an integral part of traditional cocoa farms - and accelerated the pace of deforestation. As the largest cocoa producer region in the world, the majority of smallholder farmers are dependent on cocoa for part, or all of their livelihoods; while for governments cocoa exports account for a substantial in-fl ow of foreign exchange. The increase in cocoa production has largely been due to expansion of the land area under cultivation – mostly forest land, rather than improved productivity. Research fi ndings within the sector suggest that on-farm productivity is low and that 40% of farmers fail to make a net profi t. Additionally, much of the cocoa is grown with low shade cover - a management regime that harbours less biodiversity and carbon, and is more vulnerable to changes in climate.

SNV’s Cocoa-eco programme intends to introduce an approach that combines supporting local cocoa livelihoods and improving cocoa farm resilience to climate change for poverty alleviation and enhanced ecosystem conservation. The programme is being implemented in West Africa, initially in Ghana and Cameroon.

Climate Smart Cocoa production

The Cocoa-Eco programme focuses on the modernization of cocoa production and professionalization of cocoa farmers through climate-smart intensifi cation, diversifi cation and conversion of cocoa farms. Demonstration farms will showcase better management practices, effi cient and sustainable application of agro-chemicals, intercropping, achieving 40% shading with other crops and trees and a progressive rejuvenation of ageing farms at selected Business Development Centers and strategic plantations. Organic cocoa farming methods will also be assessed and piloted to better understand the economic viability of its introduction to the area.

SNV is working in partnership with the Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Union - a union of over 85,000 members and a licensed cocoa buying company – initially piloting the project with 6,000 farmers around Kumasi in the Asante Region. SNV works through ten Business Development Centers of Kuapa Kokoo to introduce this new business model to farmers to help lift them out of poverty. The Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana is an important partner along with Kuapa Kokoo who provide all farmer trainings. To support research on the modernisation of cocoa production the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture provides additional expertise.

Adopting a landscape approach

It is recognised that any improvements on a cocoa farm can be neutralised by other harmful activities outside the area, so SNV is adopting a landscape approach. Landscape siting tools are being developed to identify suitable areas for sustainable cocoa expansion, as well as hotspots for possible cocoa driven deforestation in the High Forest Zone of Ghana. The intention is to work closely with farmers and communities in these areas, exploring mechanisms that support the needs of these groups, with forest protection in the wider landscape. The project will work closely with the National REDD+ Secretariat and COCOBOD to build lessons for the “desired-state” of cocoa in Ghana and disseminate results in order to provide a model to support cocoa REDD+ development in Ghana, which could be adopted nationally to help in reducing emissions while increasing incomes. SNV is also developing approaches to ensure no deforestation in supply chains and aims to work with companies to pilot these.

As a possible fi nance source in addition to the Fair Trade premiums that Kuapa Kokoo already receives, the potential to access carbon markets using cocoa as the basis for developing REDD+ strategies is being explored. This includes exploring the potential from voluntary carbon markets and integrating carbon with certifi cation schemes.

Outlook

The Cocoa-Eco programme will capture and disseminate its experiences to wider audiences of farmer organizations, the private sector and with other cocoa producing countries, in order to support a low emission, profi table and sustainable cocoa sector. The project aims to expand to Cameroon and Congo in 2014.

Contact

Winston Asante Associate Advisor on REDD+ and Agroforestrywasante@snvworld.org