Sustainable Tree Crops Program - Côte d'Ivoire
Project Dates: Pilot Phase 2003-2006, Phase II 2007-2011
Country: Côte d’Ivoire
Funders: Core Program - US Agency for International Development (USAID), World Cocoa Foundation, global cocoa industry, and FDPCC (Ivorian Cocoa Fund); Sustainable Production of Certified Cocoa – USAID and Kraft Foods; Cocoa Quality Improvement Project – TransFair USA; iMPACT – Mars Inc; Partnership with FIRCA on training of ANADER extension agents
Implementers: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (manager, production, marketing, policy); SOCODEVI (cooperative development); ANADER (Ivorian National Extension Agency/Cocoa Quality Improvement Project); Rainforest Alliance (Sustainable Production of Certified Cocoa Project); INADES, BFCD, GTZ
Overview:
The Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) in Côte d’Ivoire is active in 15 districts, mostly in the Eastern Region, and works with 20 cocoa cooperatives. The program focuses on promoting the sustainable production and marketing of quality cocoa, improving marketing channel efficiency, raising incomes for small-scale producers and creating environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically sustainable cocoa production systems. Beginning in 2006, the Sustainable Production of Certified Cocoa Project incorporates Rainforest Alliance standards into the Farmer Field School curriculum. The TransFair USA Cocoa Quality Improvement Project aims to increase incomes for small producers through increased access to the Fair Trade market in the US, Europe and Japan. The iMPACT project began in 2008 with main activity areas including: community leadership, cocoa productivity and marketing; access to financial services; labor practices; education, health; environment; and alternative income. In 2008, STCP began a one year partnership with FIRCA on training of ANADER’S extension agents on the Farmer Field School approach, training tools and post-training follow up.
Program Objectives:
- Develop farmer organizations’ capacity as agricultural enterprises and improve marketing efficiency
- Integrate the production and marketing of certified cocoa
- Develop local institutional capacity to provide production and marketing support services
Progress to Date:
- 13,328 farmers directly trained through 396 Farmer Field Schools. Through the participatory Farmer Field School approach, farmers were trained in integrated crop and pest management, cocoa regeneration techniques, and quality improvement as well as sensitization to child labor and HIV/AIDS. Training was conducted by 88 facilitators including 22 extension workers from ANADER and 59 members of the 20 cooperatives partnering on the STCP core program and sister projects. Of the graduating farmers, 1,187 farmers from 3 cooperatives were trained in Rainforest Alliance standards; 672 farmers participated in the Cocoa Quality Improvement Project; and 1,432 participated in the iMPACT Program. In addition, a total of 27,352 farmers were trained by the Farmer Field School graduates through guided farmer-to-farmer dissemination of information.
- 12,344 farmers trained by ANADER. With technical support from STCP, ANADER is training farmers under the 2QC program supported by the National Management Committee for Cocoa and Coffee (CGFCC).
- 142 farmers trained through Video Viewing Clubs. 16 videos covering similar topics to the Farmer Field Schools were produced. The Clubs, designed for women cocoa farmers, were held in 6 communities.
- Participatory research highlights. In partnership with Yara, 690 Farmer Field School graduates participated in a three-year study to evaluate the impact of mineral fertilizer. The next step is to conduct a soil fertility study that will allow for region-specific fertilizer recommendations. In another study, 850 farmers received training in regeneration of deforested land, and 425 farmers received training on rehabilitation and intensification. The study of the plots has concluded and findings contributed to the development of the planting, replanting and diversification curriculum.
- 20 cooperatives trained. After participating in nursery management training, 9,363 farmers from 20 cooperatives established nurseries; six cooperatives established quality control centers; and two cooperatives are utilizing market information systems. Four cooperatives were trained in topics such as cooperative organization, marketing, good governance, bylaws and member services.
Success Story: Increasing Farm Productivity and Strengthening Farmer Organizations
Success Story: Science in the Field - Farmer Participatory Research Yields Results
Success Story: Production of Quality Cocoa Supports Children's Education
Sucess Story: Learning about Black-Pod - Roger Zongo's Story
Success Story: Proud to be a Cocoa Farmer