Introduction
One journey, many questions
Why is the situation in cocoa farming so difficult? Why is it that cocoa farmers are often unable to earn a living wage? Why does child labour still exist? And what solutions are generating grounds for hope?
What we can already reveal at this point: Sustainable cocoa is possible! Along the entire supply chain, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is driving change along the entire supply chain – for various clients and alongside motivated partners. But see for yourself.
In the heart of Côte d'Ivoire
A scene in the forest
We are standing amidst huge trees in the middle of the country. Mist is hovering over the leafy canopy. The forest is interspersed with cocoa trees as far as the eye can see.
Women are seated in the shade of the trees around a pile of hand-sized cocoa pods whose colour is reminiscent of autumn foliage in the northern latitudes. But there is no autumn here, and the temperature seldom falls below 15 degrees. The women strike the pods to expose the precious cocoa beans inside. Their wooden clubs move rhythmically, making a hollow sound when they hit the shell.
2.2 million tonnes of cocoa are produced each year throughout the country. This makes Côte d'Ivoire the world’s biggest producer of cocoa.
Women are seated in the shade of the trees around a pile of hand-sized cocoa pods whose colour is reminiscent of autumn foliage in the northern latitudes. But there is no autumn here, and the temperature seldom falls below 15 degrees. The women strike the pods to expose the precious cocoa beans inside. Their wooden clubs move rhythmically, making a hollow sound when they hit the shell.
2.2 million tonnes of cocoa are produced each year throughout the country. This makes Côte d'Ivoire the world’s biggest producer of cocoa.
Where sustainable cocoa is produced
Initiatives & projectsA site visit
Worldwide, organisations and initiatives are committed to improving the situation in cocoa farming areas. The German Federal Government is also promoting this commitment. This works on several levels: Both in the main consumer countries such as Germany and in the main producer countries such as Cote d’Ivoire – and here from national cocoa policy through to smallholder families.
One example is the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa. In this alliance, the German Federal Government, chocolate manufacturers and cocoa processors as well as retailers and non-governmental organisations have joined forces.
One example is the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa. In this alliance, the German Federal Government, chocolate manufacturers and cocoa processors as well as retailers and non-governmental organisations have joined forces.
When the forest disappeared
Monocultures threaten cocoa farming. What solutions can there be?
Savour the region
Hervé Dobinou of Choco+ produces cocoa products for the local market.
The foundation for a good life
Meet Edwige N'Da Bomo – the nutrition trainer works on the future of the children of cocoa farmers.
Where cocoa knowledge grows
This agricultural school imparts know-how that enables cocoa farmers to earn higher incomes.
Achieving more together
When cooperatives become more professional, their members earn a higher and more reliable income.
Together towards more sustainability
The German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa contributes to social and environmental change in the cocoa economy.
End child labour
Ten questions to tackle child labour: This new solution benefits families and farming cooperatives.
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When the forest disappeared
Monocultures threaten cocoa farming. What solutions can there be?
Savour the region
Hervé Dobinou of Choco+ produces cocoa products for the local market.
The foundation for a good life
Meet Edwige N'Da Bomo – the nutrition trainer works on the future of the children of cocoa farmers.
Where cocoa knowledge grows
This agricultural school imparts know-how that enables cocoa farmers to earn higher incomes.
Achieving more together
When cooperatives become more professional, their members earn a higher and more reliable income.
Together towards more sustainability
The German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa contributes to social and environmental change in the cocoa economy.
End child labour
Ten questions to tackle child labour: This new solution benefits families and farming cooperatives.
Further information
When the forest disappearedIt all began 25 years ago.
At that time, large companies and the state promoted the expansion of successful cocoa production from the east to the then still mostly forest-covered west. Until then, cocoa grew in the shade of large mixed forests with high biodiversity.
Now a new type of cultivation began its triumphant march - the sun cocoa. The whole space on the plantation was given to the cacao tree, forest trees fell. On the former forest soils, the cacao grew quickly and bore abundant fruit. In the hope of higher incomes and a better life, many farmers settled on formerly forested land.
Today, sun cocoa dominates the landscapes. Its success was short-lived: with the protective canopy missing, the rich forest soils quickly lost their nutrients. The sun heats up the landscape. In the long run, cocoa thrives better under large shade trees. Because their cocoa plantations, exhausted, yield too little, small farmers often penetrate further into the forest...
Now a new type of cultivation began its triumphant march - the sun cocoa. The whole space on the plantation was given to the cacao tree, forest trees fell. On the former forest soils, the cacao grew quickly and bore abundant fruit. In the hope of higher incomes and a better life, many farmers settled on formerly forested land.
Today, sun cocoa dominates the landscapes. Its success was short-lived: with the protective canopy missing, the rich forest soils quickly lost their nutrients. The sun heats up the landscape. In the long run, cocoa thrives better under large shade trees. Because their cocoa plantations, exhausted, yield too little, small farmers often penetrate further into the forest...
Cocoa production for the regional and national market
Being able to process and sell products made from raw cocoa in one's own country offers job opportunities and the chance of higher incomes for everyone involved. So far, only a fraction of the cocoa from Côte d'Ivoire is directly used and consumed in the country. GIZ supports entrepreneurs who produce cocoa products locally and bring them to market.
Like Hervé Dobinou, who runs an innovative start-up.
Like Hervé Dobinou, who runs an innovative start-up.
Achieving more together in cooperatives
In order to improve the living conditions of cocoa-producing families and increase their income, the PRO-PLANTEURS project supports cocoa farmer organisations and their members. It pays special attention to women and young farmers.
Watch the video to find out how the farmers are working more professionally as a result.
Watch the video to find out how the farmers are working more professionally as a result.
The future starts with food
Cocoa farmers work physically hard – at the same time malnutrition is still a problem for many of them. People like Edwige N'Da Bomo are changing that: the nutrition trainer travels through the villages and explains what makes good food. Her conviction: Those who eat a balanced diet from the start are healthier and have a higher quality of life.
Edwige also uses her training for another important topic: birth certificates. Parents require them so that their children are entitled to a place at school. However, many fail to apply for them – one of many reasons for child labour later in life. Edwige explains the situation and shows how to get the certificate.
Edwige also uses her training for another important topic: birth certificates. Parents require them so that their children are entitled to a place at school. However, many fail to apply for them – one of many reasons for child labour later in life. Edwige explains the situation and shows how to get the certificate.
Where cocoa knowledge grows
Cocoa trees stand next to each other at an optimal distance of two and a half to three metres. Some higher trees protect the others from too much sun. Branches lacking fruit are regularly removed and cocoa pods are gently opened with a special tool. If a field is cared for and managed in this way, cocoa farmers earn a higher income.
The ANADER agricultural school in Gagnoa imparts knowledge about such correlations. The training here provides trainers and cooperative leaders with theoretical and practical knowledge on how to grow cocoa sustainably – and not only that. They also learn how a greater variety of products can help ensure economic security. Then they pass this knowledge on to smallholder farmers in the country.
But let the teachers speak themselves.
The ANADER agricultural school in Gagnoa imparts knowledge about such correlations. The training here provides trainers and cooperative leaders with theoretical and practical knowledge on how to grow cocoa sustainably – and not only that. They also learn how a greater variety of products can help ensure economic security. Then they pass this knowledge on to smallholder farmers in the country.
But let the teachers speak themselves.
Together for more sustainability
The cocoa industry must become more sustainable and fairer. However, this can only be achieved if everyone along the supply chain makes their contribution. To this end, the German government, business and non-governmental organisations have founded the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa.
Collectively they pursue their goals: to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers, to preserve forests and their biodiversity and to increase the market share of sustainable cocoa.
How this works exactly? Merit Buama, the Forum’s Chairwomen of the board, will tell you.
Collectively they pursue their goals: to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers, to preserve forests and their biodiversity and to increase the market share of sustainable cocoa.
How this works exactly? Merit Buama, the Forum’s Chairwomen of the board, will tell you.
Ending child labour
Child labour is widespread in cocoa farming. In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana alone, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million girls and boys work on cocoa plantations. The work is often hard and has a detrimental effect on the health of children, physically and mentally.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internatioale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in West Africa for years to prevent child labour. One of the objectives is to support cocoa farmers in achieving better crop yields. After all, poverty is the main cause of child labour – and children from families with good incomes are less likely to become victims of child labour.
Partnerships with local organisations are crucial to project work in this field. These organisations are familiar with conditions on the ground and know how to deal with the root problem. Due to its long-standing local presence, GIZ has the necessary network and the trust of those involved for this work.
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internatioale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in West Africa for years to prevent child labour. One of the objectives is to support cocoa farmers in achieving better crop yields. After all, poverty is the main cause of child labour – and children from families with good incomes are less likely to become victims of child labour.
Partnerships with local organisations are crucial to project work in this field. These organisations are familiar with conditions on the ground and know how to deal with the root problem. Due to its long-standing local presence, GIZ has the necessary network and the trust of those involved for this work.
Working together to end child labour
In Côte d’Ivoire, GIZ works with the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), an organisation that protects human rights and the rights of children in cocoa farming areas in West Africa.
GIZ and ICI have joined forces to develop a new method that not only documents child labour, but also helps to prevent it. Before it ever happens.
Allatin Brou, who manages ICI’s side of the project, describes the project’s guiding principles:
GIZ and ICI have joined forces to develop a new method that not only documents child labour, but also helps to prevent it. Before it ever happens.
Allatin Brou, who manages ICI’s side of the project, describes the project’s guiding principles:
Prevention instead of intervention
The tool is secure and offers additional advantages for cooperatives. For example, the data can be used to obtain certificates for sustainable trading. Certification makes it easier for cooperatives to export cocoa and secure higher prices. And this, in turn, reduces the risk of child labour and allows more children to go to school.
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Sweet temptation without a bitter aftertaste
Favourite sweet
From cocoa to chocolate
One journey, many questions
A scene in the forest
The young exporting country
Why poverty takes trees
A site visit
Initiatives & projects
People and their stories
Would you like to know more?
When the forest disappeared
The price of sun cocoa
New methods for climate protection
Supporting the farmers
Cocoa production for the regional and national market
Hervé Dobinou talks about local markets
Achieving more together in cooperatives
Video: Cooperatives
The future starts with food
Video: Nutrition trainer
Where cocoa knowledge grows
Video: Agricultural school
Together for more sustainability
Video: Forum Nachhaltiger Kakao
Ending child labour
Working together to end child labour
GIZ and ICI
Ten questions to predict child labour
Prevention instead of intervention
Vision
More infos
