“I Would Not Hesitate to Recommend Agroforestry to Others”

William Asante Nkuah, is a cocoa farmer at Eteso in Ghana’s Juaboso District. He is participating in a cocoa and chocolate company agroforestry program, which encourages farmers like him to plant forest and fruit trees alongside cocoa in order to protect the environment and tackle climate change.

As part of the program, William has been trained on the importance of shade trees and gifted 40 seedlings to plant on his 1-hectare farm. He is already seeing benefits. During the dry season, the shade trees protect his cocoa from the scorching sun, and in heavy winds they prevent the cocoa trees from breaking or falling. Shed leaves from the shade trees also mulch and enrich the soil.

“The shade trees keep the soil around my cocoa moist, so even during the dry season my cocoa develops flowers, cherelles and pods. I can see a big difference between the condition of my farm and the condition of those nearby where there are no shade trees.”

This is helping to improve his income. “I have seen a steady increase in the productivity of my farm compared to previous years. Back in 2017, I harvested 780kg. Last year, I harvested 1193kg and this year I am expecting even more. And in future, when my cocoa trees get older and yield less, I can harvest fruit from the shade trees to bring me additional income.”

“Given the impact I have seen on my farm, I would not hesitate to recommend agroforestry to others because the results and benefits can be huge for farmers, the community and the environment. Other farmers have seen the impact and have started to do what I am doing.”