Chocolate Industry Expands Sustainable Cocoa Farming Efforts
Industry Provides Update on Support for Economic, Social Development and Environmental Conservation in World’s Cocoa Regions
Highlights:
- Industry-supported programs drive increased farmer incomes
- Work advances to address responsible labor practices, worst forms of child labor
- Partnerships help improve access to education
- Protection of tropical ecosystem receives ongoing support
WASHINGTON, DC (February 3, 2006) -- The cocoa and chocolate industry's sustainable cocoa farming efforts are having an increasing, positive impact on farm families in the world's cocoa regions. Working in partnership with producing countries, NGOs, government agencies and development organizations, industry-supported programs are driving improvement in farm family incomes, labor practices, access to education and protection of the tropical ecosystem.
“Our industry depends upon the well-being of millions of cocoa farmers around the world,” said Bill Guyton, president, World Cocoa Foundation. “Since the 1990's, we have worked to build successful programs and partnerships that drive economic and social development and environmental conservation - because it is in our mutual interest to have thriving cocoa communities.”
Sustainable cocoa farming depends upon:
- A sound economic base for long-term production, which meets the needs of farming families
- Social conditions that help cocoa communities thrive, respect local laws and adhere to international norms
- Stewardship of the environment so that future cocoa farmers will find fertile land within a sustainable eco-system
Farmer Incomes Improve
Millions of small, family farms grow cocoa in equatorial regions around the world. For many cocoa farmers, the crop is the major source of income for their families and their communities. Yet each year, they face significant challenges ranging from crop loss due to pests and disease (an average 30 percent annually), outdated farming practices and a lack of adequate rural support services.
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) was formed in 2000 to address these issues. Today, it plays a leading role in helping cocoa farming families by developing and managing effective on-the-ground programs, raising funds and acting as a forum for broad discussion of the cocoa farming sector's needs. Its more than 50 member companies support the Foundation financially and through active participation in its efforts. These efforts are enhanced through “public-private partnerships” organized between the WCF or its members and a range of interested institutions. The combination of public and private expertise brings real benefits to farmers and their families.
One WCF-supported initiative, the Farmer Field Schools program, is raising cocoa farm family incomes substantially. Developed in conjunction with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented globally by a range of expert partners, these “schools without walls” provide cocoa farmers with training on how to increase productivity, reduce crop loss and costs, and diversify the crops they grow for family income. Thanks to its practical approach, the training can be implemented immediately and benefits achieved when the current crop is harvested.
To date, more than 170,000 farmers are benefiting from Farmer Field Schools in West Africa (Cameroon, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria), Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam) and Latin America (Ecuador). These farmers have seen their cocoa crop yields and economic returns increase significantly.
Another effort, run through the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) and supported by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), helps organize West African farmers to sell their cocoa collectively. Such “group selling” can dramatically improve farmers' ability to realize a higher price for their cocoa.
Results from the Farmer Field Schools and “group selling” efforts are encouraging. In Cameroon, participating farm families saw their incomes increase by 55 percent in 2004. Participating Ivory Coast farmers saw, on average, a 24 percent income boost.
In 2006, a partnership between the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA) and the IITA will launch a series of Farmer Field Schools specifically tailored for West African cocoa farming women - an increasingly important, yet often under-supported group.
In addition, the Farmer Field Schools program is expanding into more Latin American countries, including Bolivia, Colombia and Peru.
Efforts Underway to Support Responsible Labor Practices:
A 2002 independent survey by the IITA showed that the majority of West African cocoa farmers grow cocoa responsibly. The survey, however, highlighted challenges that must be addressed - for example, children working on family farms instead of attending school, carrying heavy loads and participating in farming practices such as pesticide application.
The industry has made it clear that, regardless of the extent of the problem, the worst forms of child labor are not acceptable, and is working on several fronts to address the issue. The Harkin-Engel Protocol, crafted with the guidance of Senator Tom Harkin and U.S. Representative Elliot Engel and announced in 2001, provides the foundation for work by industry and leading civil society members, including the International Labor Organization (ILO), to ensure that responsible labor practices are the norm on cocoa farms.
The most significant long-term program supported by industry to address this issue is the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), a joint foundation established in partnership between industry and civil society. The ICI pursues an integrated approach that recognizes the need for leadership by host country governments, combined with effective institutions and concrete efforts at the community level to drive change.
Through the ICI's work with local partners, communities in Ghana and the Ivory Coast are taking action to prevent children from excessive and/or dangerous work on farms; ensure schools are available and attractive to children, and addressing the underlying causes that may lead to unacceptable labor practices. For cases of children who may have been trafficked to work on cocoa farms, the ICI has established local partnerships to ensure that these children are identified, rescued and rehabilitated.
The Farmer Field School program is also helping raise awareness of responsible labor practices. In Ghana, for example, the schools focus on the dangers of children participating in age-inappropriate tasks such as carrying heavy loads, pesticide application and field clearing using machetes.
A random sampling of participating farmers, conducted by the STCP, found a significant reduction in children's exposure to hazardous tasks, vs. non-participating farmers. Overall, more than 1,200 children are estimated to be no longer engaged in these hazardous practices as a result of the Farmer Field School program.
Tracking improvements in labor practices is a key component of a “certification” program for cocoa farming, currently being refined and expanded in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Certification, as called for in the Harkin-Engel Protocol, will provide not only a clear view of actual cocoa farming labor practices, but will measure progress in addressing farm community economic and social issues.
Industry representatives are working closely with the leadership of producing country governments, international social development institutions and local experts to design and roll out the cocoa certification program, with a goal of covering 50 percent of the cocoa sector in Ghana and the Ivory Coast by mid-2008.
Improved Access to Education
Access to quality, relevant education is critical to the future of cocoa farming communities. The WCF, through its range of partnerships, has launched on-the-ground programs to address this critical need in West Africa.
Working with the Norwegian Association of Chocolate Producers, the WCF supports an expansion of Winrock International's Child Labor Alternatives through Sustainable Systems in Education (CLASSE) program, initially supported by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The project works to improve basic and agriculture education in communities in the Ivory Coast and Mali - with an emphasis on youth mentoring and school attendance. More than 1,600 7 th and 8 th grade African children are participating in the first phase.
A multi-year partnership with the International Foundation for Education & Self Help (IFESH) is working to enhance the quality of education in cocoa farming communities in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Teacher training and curriculum development form the basis of the program - which is projected to benefit up to 2,400 teacher trainers and in-service teachers as well as 40,000 primary and secondary school students each year.
Additional programs are focused on education and other child-oriented issues - such as nutrition and access to clean drinking water in cocoa farming communities.
Environmental Stewardship Helps Protect Tropical Ecosystems
The sustainability of cocoa farming is closely linked to conditions of the surrounding environment. Grown responsibly, cocoa can play a positive role in protecting the tropical ecosystem and preserving soil sustainability. Techniques like “integrated pest management” (IPM) can reduce the use of pesticides on cocoa trees and benefit the broader environment.
Through Farmer Field Schools, farmers are learning how to manage crop pests and diseases, while using fewer agricultural chemicals. Results point to a 20 percent decrease in pesticide use among participating farmers in Indonesia.
A partnership among the WCF, STCP, Conservation International and the Danish Centre for Forest, Landscape and Planning is protecting tropical trees in West Africa and improving soil conservation. The program works with cocoa farmers to encourage planting of timber trees - which provide an extra source of income, limit soil erosion and discourage cutting down of established tropical trees.
The Road Ahead
The reach and impact of these and other chocolate industry-supported programs will continue to expand - improving economic and social conditions in cocoa farming communities, promoting responsible labor practices and protecting the surrounding environment.
“While progress has been made and we have learned valuable lessons, much more is required,” noted WCF President Bill Guyton. “Through scaleable, community-based solutions and the expertise and commitment of partners, we can make a difference in the lives of thousands of farming families.”
How Individuals Can Help
Individuals and organizations interested in supporting efforts to help cocoa farming communities or in learning more about efforts to help cocoa farm families have several options available to them:
The International Foundation for Education & Self Help (IFESH) is furthering its longstanding commitment to Africa through the teacher-training project in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Visit www.ifesh.org for more information, and to learn how you can help.
Winrock International operates a number of programs at the farm community level - such as the CLASSE project to improve education for the children of cocoa farming families. Visit www.winrock.org for more information and to help.
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), established in 2002, is a product of active cooperation between the global chocolate industry, concerned politicians, members of the labor movement and key civil society actors engaged in the fight against child labor. Its mission: to oversee and sustain efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in the growing and processing of cocoa beans and their derivative products. Visit www.cocoainitiative.org for more information.
The World Cocoa Foundation supports cocoa farmers and their families worldwide - to improve the economic and social conditions of cocoa farming communities, and to promote environmental conservation. Visit www.worldcocoafoundation.org to learn more.
Sustainable, Responsible Cocoa Farming: Progress Report
Program, Overview |
Partners and Locations |
Results |
Farmer Field Schools Provide cocoa farmers with training on crop protection and improved crop yields, responsible labor practices, while promoting mixed farming with other tree crops
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170,000 farmers trained in West Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America Income/ productivity gains of 20 to 55% for West African Farmers Significant reduction in exposure of children to hazardous tasks, for participating farmers. Launching schools in Latin America; schools for women cocoa farmers in West Africa funded by Chocolate Manufacturer's Association |
Improved Marketing Practices Organize farmers for “group selling” efforts
|
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Farmers increasing earnings between 5 and 15% through “group selling” program Direct purchase arrangements in Asia, resulting in $15million premium paid to farmers for improved quality |
Child Labour Formation of International Cocoa Initiative
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Areas of Focus:
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Integrated approach combining development of community-led initiatives to address worst forms of child labor, with work to ensure government and local industry support for change Formed specific partnerships to provide social protection to children Program to expand in Ghana and the Ivory Coast in 2006 |
Basic and Vocational Education/Training
CLASSE = Child Labor Alternatives through Sustainable Systems in Education Micro credit program supports local family businesses so families can afford to send kids to school |
Partners:
Partners:
|
Train 2400 teachers and teacher-trainers per year in curriculum development and advanced teaching methods. Each year 40,000 students will benefit from program in Ghana and Ivory Coast. 1,600+ 7 th and 8 th grade children participating in first phase of program in Ivory Coast |
Forest Conservation Effort Encourage farmers to plant, harvest timber trees - to help improve soil conservation and protect tropical trees |
Partners:
|
Developing and sharing best practices via Farmer Field Schools in West Africa (Ghana and Ivory Coast) |
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For additional information please contact:
Susan Smith |
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