Climate Action in Cocoa

1,200 cocoa farmers in Ghana’s Ahafo region are taking action to secure their livelihoods in the face of climate change.

Chronic underpayment from chocolate companies and traders, environmental degradation, deforestation, aging farmers, pests, diseases, rising production costs, and now, unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change are all factors that make it harder for farmers to make a living and cause chocolate shortages around the world.

In Ghana, illegal gold mining, called Galamsey, has also taken hold near cocoa farming areas, which damages the soil and health of people living nearby while driving competition for land and labor.

The farmers are participating in a three-year project, Ghana Agroforestry for Impact (GAIM), implemented by Fairtrade Africa and made possible through partnership with Max Havelaar France and the French Development Agency. Three Fairtrade small-scale farming organizations, or cooperatives, are taking part: Asunafo North Municipal Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Union, Kukuom Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union and Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union.

Cocoa farmers are learning Dynamic Agroforestry Techniques (DAF), which create forest-like conditions that produce a variety of products for humans when done consistently. By intentionally planting various crops, fruit trees, native scrubs and timber trees together, farmers can recreate the natural habitat of certain plants, like cocoa.

Crop diversification is key. Growing multiple crops that fare well amongst one another gives farmers multiple income streams, helps improve soil quality and offers many other ecological benefits that boost the land’s productivity. The inclusion of timber trees provides needed shade and micro-climatic conditions suitable for cocoa.

This agroforestry method not only improves yields for farmers, but also plays a crucial role in preserving and enhancing biodiversity, supporting a wider range of plant and animal species.

The average age of cocoa farmers in West Africa is 55. For young people interested in pursuing farming, there are significant barriers to entry. Limited access to land, the high costs of investment, and the challenges posed by climate change, which increasingly threaten cocoa production, all discourage younger generations from cocoa farming. While cocoa has long been a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy, today’s young adults have more career options. Options that are more profitable and offer more stability are often more attractive.

In addition to climate resilience, the GAIM project aims to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across participating cooperatives through sustained, direct engagement with women and young adults. The GAIM project encourages more women and youth to become cocoa farmers through the Women’s School of Leadership and the Young Cooperative Manager Academy – two Fairtrade-designed leadership modules specifically tailored to support these groups. These initiatives aim to equip women and young adults with the skills and resources needed to thrive in cocoa farming and leadership roles, fostering greater inclusivity and sustainability in the sector.

Depending on the variety, cocoa trees take 3-8 years to bear pods. This means that farmers who are just starting out don’t make much profit until years after their investment. Women and young adults often have less access to start-up capital and other financial resources. Through a Village Savings and Loan Associations concept, the project is helping participating farmers get the funding needed to start farming or invest a small amount in other activities, like paying medical or school fees.

Ataa Gifty has been farming for six years and is part of the GAIM project.  She has also participated in Fairtrade’s Women’s School of Leadership and intends to work in cooperative management or marketing one day, areas in which women are significantly under-represented.

Cocoa can have a bright future. In the face of mounting threats to their livelihoods, Ataa and her fellow farmers are leading cocoa farming into a more sustainable frontier. A more profitable and inclusive future for cocoa is possible when farmers have the knowledge, resources, and community needed to cultivate success.

To receive quarterly updates about the GAIM project, email s.pismont@fairtradeafrica.net.