West Africa “Farmer Field Schools”
Lucie Edzimbi manages a four hectare cocoa farm she inherited from her father in the village of Elat in Southern Cameroon. Recently, she’s seen excellent results from pest and disease control techniques she learned in a Farmer Field School. For example, Ms. Edzimbi learned to cut branches of shade trees to reduce crop loss from black pod—a common disease that devastates cocoa farms. “Last year, my whole farm was attacked by black pod,” Lucie said. “This year, only six trees were affected, and I haven’t had to spray any chemicals.” Lucie is expecting a much better harvest this year.
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The Issue:
- West African cocoa farming families experience considerable crop loss to disease.
- Farming practices that incorporate recent breakthroughs, such as natural means of pest control, and diversifying production to include other crops have great potential for increasing family income. However, farmers in the region have had little exposure to these new approaches to cocoa farming. Education is critical to ensuring that cocoa is grown responsibly.
- Many farmers rely on cocoa as their only source of income.
How the World Cocoa Foundation Helps:
Partners:
- “Farmer Field Schools” help farmers increase their family incomes by educating them on better growing techniques, crop diversification and other productivity-enhancing steps.
- The field schools also raise awareness of safe pest management and responsible labor practices.
- Classes are held outdoors, on or near a cocoa farm. Educators share practical advice with farmers and their families. Farmers receive practical, hands-on training through the 18-session program.
- In addition to getting practical advice to earn more for their crop, farmers learn about appropriate vs. inappropriate tasks for children helping out on the family farm, the importance of sending their children to school and responsible labor practices.
- Thousands of cocoa farmers have participated in Farmer Field Schools in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria.
- These farmers’ incomes rose between 15 and 55 percent.
- Participants acquired an improved understanding of safe, responsible labor practices in communities where children go to school. In Ghana, more than 1,200 people are estimated to have ceased engagement in hazardous practices as a result of the Farmer Field School program.
Learn More:
April 2008 Overview of the Sustainable Tree Crops Program
April 2008 Progress to Date:
Success Stories:
View maps of program sites in : Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana
Watch a video about the Sustainable Tree Crops Program in Ghana