Addressing Challenges in West African Cocoa Farming
Our West Africa Director talks about the ongoing challenges in the cocoa sector.
Article
What's at Stake
West and Central Africa have strong rural economies set within some of the world's largest forest expanses. The Congo Basin spans eight countries, contains the world's second largest contiguous forest, and boasts abundant biodiversity and natural resources. It also provides food, water, and shelter to some 75 million people.
Cocoa farmers face economic hardship, climate change
Seventy percent of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa, where cocoa cultivation is a way of life reaching back for generations. Most of the cocoa throughout the region is grown by smallholder farmers who struggle not only with economic hardship, but also with the effects of climate change—hotter temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and a shift in growing seasons.
Our Work
Sustainable agriculture and community forestry are powerful strategies for conserving the abundance of natural resources in West and Central Africa. In addition to our work to conserve the forests of the Congo Basin, we partner with farming communities to build climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture landscapes.
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Community Forestry Combats Urgent Threats in Cameroon
A promising alternative has begun to emerge: the devolution of forest management to local communities
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Strengthening Transparency in West Africa’s Cocoa Supply Chain
Collaboration is key to affecting change that will improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their families.
Article
Cocoa Farmers Help Protect Last Primary Rainforest in Côte d’Ivoire
We're helping farmers increase their incomes and conserve a precious ecosystem.
All resources for West & Central Africa
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Impact Study
Towards Sustainable Cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire: The Impacts and Contribution of UTZ Certification Combined with Services Provided by Companies
This impact evaluation was commissioned to Wageningen University, and analyses the contribution of certification and interventions of companies implementing certification with groups of farmers in
Impact Study
Impacts of Cocoa Sustainability Initiatives in West Africa
This scientific article analyses the social, economic, and environmental effects of voluntary standards initiatives and corporate initiatives in the cocoa sector in West Africa, largely focusing on
Rainforest Alliance Certified Cocoa
We work with almost one million cocoa farmers to build thriving livelihoods and climate resilience through certification and training.
Media Coverage
Project to tackle child labour in cocoa and gold mining sectors launched
The Rainforest Alliance has launched a project to tackle forced and child labour in the cocoa and gold mining sectors of Ghana.
Case Study
Identifying Your Pathway Towards Sustainability: Our Work with Nestlé Cocoa
As one of the world’s largest purchasers of cocoa, Nestlé recognizes the position it is in to make a difference. This case study shows how Nestlé utilizes all three major Rainforest Alliance
Protecting Biodiversity and Livelihoods in Cameroon
Our work in this region lends support for community forest enterprises as they plan sustainable forest management activities, utilize best forestry practices, boost their business skills, and engage in strategies for value-added processing and penetrating premium markets for timber and other forest products.