GROWING FAIRER FUTURES: IVORY COAST
In Ivory Coast, this Growing Fairer Futures project is being delivered in partnership with local cocoa co-operative, CAYAT. During the first year, farmers received training in Good Agricultural Practices, Climate Smart Agriculture and agri-business skills. They were also provided with 37,500 cocoa seedlings and 625 shade trees.
Currently, we are in the third year of this project, and the young farmers continue to receive essential farming inputs to maintain their farms, along with ongoing support and guidance from extension officers at CAYAT. The first harvest commenced in early November, with each farm projected to yield between 35 and 50 kg of cocoa.
Pictured: Anita Akkafou, project participant
IMPACT INSIGHTS
Anita Akaffou is a cocoa producer who, before joining this project, had been assisting her parents in their family cocoa farm. Securing land for women presents a significant challenge, as societal norms often dictate that women will marry and relocate, while land is traditionally given to male family members.
With the support Anita received through this project, she managed to establish her own cocoa farm on land given to her by her father. She planted 500 cocoa trees and banana trees to offer crucial shade. These trees are thriving, and Anita is expecting to see her first harvest in November 2023. Her plan is to reinvest the income earned from this harvest to expand her farm, thus increasing her household income.
