encouraging sustainable, responsible cocoa growing

Africa

More than two million farmers grow cocoa in Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Liberia, and Nigeria. The average West African cocoa farm is approximately 3-7 hectares in size, and supports a family of eight to 10 people.

West African farmers produce 70 percent of the world’s cocoa.

World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) programs in West Africa are:

• Helping farmers earn more for their cocoa crop by teaching farming practices that improve the quality and quantity of their farm’s yield, crop diversification and how to reduce crop loss
• Promoting responsible, safe labor practices on cocoa farms
• Strengthening the community through improved education

West African farmers who have participated in WCF-supported programs have seen income gains of between 15 and 55 percent. Farmers learn about how to grow cocoa responsibly, without unsafe or abusive labor practices. And the farmer’s community is stronger due to improved access to quality, relevant education.

 

For general information about individual programs, click on the links below:

• Government of Ghana Certification Report –www.cocobod.gh
• Farmer Field Schools – farmer incomes; responsible, safe labor practices
• Cocoa Farming Women Education Program – support for growing number of women operating cocoa farms
• ECHOES – quality of education
• UNICEF Program – Migratory Labor
• Rainforest Conservation Campaign – environmental protection

For August 2007 progress to date, click on the links below:

• IFESH Teacher Training
• Winrock CLASSE
• Sustainable Tree Crops Program Overview
  • In French (May 2007)
• Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Cameroon
• Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • In French (May 2007)
• Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Ghana
• Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Liberia
• Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Nigeria

View maps of project sites in: Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana