“On Average I Map 10 to 15 Farms a Day”

As part of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative to end deforestation and restore forest areas, cocoa and chocolate companies want to ensure that the cocoa that they purchase is deforestation free, with the goal of 100% of cocoa sourcing traceable from farm to first purchase point. Companies are conducting farm mapping within their supply chains to identify and collect cocoa farm boundaries data to ensure cocoa is not being sourced from forest lands. This information will also help establish a government deforestation monitoring system including real time alerts of deforestation. But how does this work on the ground? See what Jean-Marie has to say about his work in the Méagui department of Côte d’Ivoire:

“My name is Jean Marie, and I’m 26 years old. I do not come from the agricultural world and live in Abidjan. I received my diploma in 2013 and for lack of means I started mapping to be able to finance myself. I was sent to Yamoussoukro in 2015 where I received my training in GPS Mapping, then I was assigned to the Méagui department for three years.

Farm mapping is a relatively simple job. Our group administrator tells us the number of sections in the region and according to the needs, he indicates the ones where we will have to visit. Currently, I have been assigned to Méagui where I am responsible for mapping about 150 farmers. On average I map 10 to 15 farms a day. My schedule is set by my group administrator.

Today we are going to perform the mapping of Dramane’s farm. Dramane thinks that his farm is about 5 hectares. After Dramane has signed his commitment sheet, I enter the information about the farm into my tablet. Then I do the GPS/ polygon mapping of the farm. The farmer shows me the limits of his farm. We start with a tree on which we make a mark in red paint. Then Dramane walks his farm and I follow with my tablet. I record every 10 paces, called intermediate points, until we have done the complete farm.

For Dramane, the surprise is rather great since his farm is 7.152 hectares! Much larger than he thought. This may make him happy on one side, but it also indicates that his performance is not as good as he thought. It is at this point of having an accurate measure of one’s farm when the farmer, the ADG and the farmer coach will be able to follow Dramane on the evolution of his farm and its further development.”