Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Ghana
Project Dates: Pilot Phase: 2003-2006, Phase II: 2007-2011
Country: Ghana
Funders: US Agency for International Development, World Cocoa Foundation and industry
Implementer: International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (management); Participatory Development Associates (development of new institutional arrangements); Ministry of Food and Agriculture (farmer training); SOCODEVI (farmer organization capacity development of local partners)
Overview
The initial activities of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) Ghana included farmer training through the Farmer Field School methodology, specialized training for women cocoa farmers through Video Viewing Clubs, and research with active farmer participation. The success of these approaches in the early years of the pilot attracted the interest of local institutions from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. In 2006, the institutions underwent training to develop the capacity to implement their own farmer trainings. These and other local institutions play a prominent role in scaling up farmer training. In Phase II, STCP-Ghana also addresses community organization development, alternative income opportunities for cocoa farmers, and policy initiatives for a sustainable cocoa economy contributing to rural transformation and growth.
Program Objectives:
- To increase cocoa farmers income through intensification and promotion of responsible labor use
- To contribute to rural transformation in the cocoa belt of Ghana
- To enhance environmental sustainability of cocoa through agroforestry and tree diversification
- To develop and validate models for improved self-organization capacities of cocoa communities
- To contribute to cocoa sector policy change through research and stakeholder dialogue
Progress to Date:
- 3,590 farmers trained through 128 Farmer Field Schools. Training includes improved crop production techniques, as well as HIV/AIDS and child labor sensitization through the participatory Farmer Field School approach. An additional 7,769 farmers were reached indirectly through farmer-to-farmer diffusion. 58 facilitators were trained at the community and institutional levels. This includes 10 facilitators from 6 local institutions who since received further training to become master trainers. The local institutions now have the capacity to train facilitators to conduct Farmer Field Schools. One such institution, the International Cocoa Initiative, completed 21 Farmer Field Schools for 716 participants.
- 450 farmers trained through 22 Video Viewing Clubs. 18 clubs were exclusively for women cocoa farmers, and 4 were conducted for both men and women by a local partner. Topics covered include pruning, black pod disease control, harvesting/pod breaking and fermentation techniques.
- Farmer Field School graduates participate in 3 field studies. 1) 60 farmers are working with a Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana scientist to test the use of pheromone traps for the monitoring and control of cocoa mirid, a common pest. 2) Farmers from 11 communities are involved in a participatory learning activity on tree diversification options; this will culminate in the design of a farmers’ decision making protocol and training manual/farmers’ guide on tree integration for cocoa systems. 3) Approximately 460 farmers from 21 communities are engaged in participatory research on the effects, costs and benefits of using inorganic fertilizer for soil fertility management to intensify production.
- 8 communities developing associations. Working in partnership with SOCODEVI and Participatory Development Associates (PDA), STCP seeks to build capacity in local institutions for the training of advisors to guide farmers/communities to better organize themselves. Improved community-based associations will enable cocoa farmers to access services, farm inputs and credit for improved farming. Currently, 5 trained advisors are working with PDA to develop and pilot associations in 8 communities.
Success Story: Woman Farmer says, "Video Viewing Club Adawuruma"
Success Story: Kwabena Antwi-Boasiako
Success Story: Umbrellas for Cocoa Trees: Farmers Renew Traditional Practice of Shade Farming
Success Story: Video Viewing Club Helps Family Achieve Their Dreams
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Overview of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program