
	february 2013 \| Become a Member

Hope in the Shade of Cocoa Trees

Cocoa farming is a way of life for Ouedraogo Boureima. “My heart, my loyalty and my livelihood lie among the shade of my cocoa trees and the blood-red earth of western Côte d'Ivoire,” says Boureima, whose farm is Rainforest Alliance Certified™. “I want to practice farming techniques that will allow my son to have a future on this same land.”


	Species Highlight: Western Red Colobus Found throughout Central and West Africa, the red colobus monkey is an arboreal species with no thumbs and a spectacularly agile tail. The endangered primate can utilize tree branches like a trampoline to reach heights up to 50 feet.						Measuring Our Impact How do we know that our work with farmers, foresters and hotel owners is making a difference? We conduct and evaluate rigorous scientific research on an ongoing basis to assess the impact of our work and ensure that our programs are as effective as possible. This includes research conducted by our staff and partners, as well as independent impact studies performed by universities, nonprofit groups and research organizations. Explore our results in a comprehensive new section of the Rainforest Alliance's website.



	A Renewed Interest in Farming Long ago, Peter Dabanka gave up cocoa farming to pursue a more lucrative career in pharmaceutical sales. “The yield from my farm was not profitable enough to make a living,” he explains. His outlook has changed with the introduction of Rainforest Alliance certification.

	The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.
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