Cocoa Livelihoods Program

The WCF Cocoa Livelihoods Program worked to increase farm level productivity of cocoa and food crops of smallholder, cocoa-growing households in West and Central Africa. The program ended in 2019.

The WCF Cocoa Livelihoods Program (CLP) worked to increase farmer income and strengthen cocoa communities through three main objectives: increase farm-level cocoa productivity to 1000 kg/ha; improve service delivery efficiency for long-term, farm-level cocoa productivity increase; and improve farmer resiliency with a focus on food crop productivity.

CLP took an industry-led approach, reaching rural farmers through dynamic partnerships with public and private actors while building institutional capacities for farmer outreach. Our goal was the creation of an institutional framework involving collaboration between public and private actors, and the development and adoption of best practices that laid the groundwork for future success.

Objectives

  • Advance industry initiatives. CLP supported private-sector partners by continuing to shift direct implementation of CLP activities to private sector initiatives. CLP’s Matching Grant mechanism leveraged companies’ existing infrastructure, expertise, and presence to increase cost-efficiency with sustainability in mind.
  • Provide a ‘full-package’ of services to farmers. A ‘full package’ of training provided farmers with skills in improved cocoa production and farm management, including services for improved input delivery systems, planting materials, and financial services. CLP helps farmers take a business-like approach to farm investments.
  • Promote food crops. WCF and private and public sector partners helped reduce farmer food insecurity by strengthening food crop diversification on their farms. Increasing food crop productivity improves diets and promotes greater gender equity as women produce the most food crops.
  • Empower women. Through a grant from the Walmart Foundation, WCF supported company partners to improve their gender outreach activities including those that achieve increased food production, diversified incomes, and enhanced decision making in investment and consumption choices. The Gender and Cocoa Livelihoods toolkit was developed to increase understanding and address gender inequalities in the cocoa sector.

Results

  • Continued improvement in farm productivity and management
  • Increased food security for farmers through additional food crops
  • Greater women’s involvement in decision-making and benefit from program activities
  • CLP partners improved outreach activities to cocoa communities
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Download Materials

  • Cocoa Livelihoods Program II Lessons Learned Executive Summary
    pdf    
  • Cocoa Livelihoods Program Phase II Endline Evaluation Final Report
    pdf    
  • Cocoa Livelihoods Program Phase II Endline Evaluation Final Report Annexes
    pdf    
  • Cocoa Livelihoods Program II Annual Report 2018
    pdf    
  • Gender & Livelihoods Toolkit
    pdf    
  • Cocoa Livelihoods Program - Fact Sheet
    pdf    

CLP Focus Countries

Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria
Our Partners

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), Barry Callebaut, BASF, Blommer Chocolate Co., Cargill, ECOM Agrotrade Ltd., Guittard Chocolate Co., The Hershey Company, Mars Inc., Meiji Holding Co., Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Olam International Ltd., Starbucks Coffee Co., Toms Gruppen A/S, Touton SA Ltd.

Farmer groups who have received training in good agriculture practices and business management skills through WCF CLP can further their farm productivity through the proper and safe usage of inputs, ranging from crop protective pesticides and fungicides to fertilizer for improvement of soil health.

Paul Macek Paul Macek Associate Vice President, Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods, Corus International

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