Cocoa Farmer Agroforestry
Most of the world's cocoa is grown by smallholders, and in Western Cameroon many of those farmers are stuck in a difficult loop. Monoculture cocoa exhausts the soil, harvests shrink, and incomes follow. When the land can't support a family, children leave school early and the next generation inherits the same squeeze.
This project, run with Trees for the Future and Fagrib, helps 500 cocoa farmers reshape their land. Two thousand trees per farm, intercropped with the cocoa, build the soil back up. The cocoa itself grows higher quality, the canopy holds water through dry seasons, and the same field that used to give one crop now gives several. With support from the World Agroforestry Center, the project is also testing which additional species pair best with cocoa for future plantings.
Not For Sale supports the Cocoa Farmer Agroforestry program because cocoa is one of the supply chains where exploitation, including child labor, is most concentrated. A farmer with a thriving forest garden, steady income, and children in school is the answer no certification label can deliver on its own.
Field updates
Posts from the planting team7 Aug 2023
We are thrilled with the progress we've made in Cameroon, working alongside our local p...
20 Jul 2023
Instead of solely focusing on monocrops, the farmers are being trained to adopt an agroforestry model, which encourages a diverse range of crops to be grown on their lands. This approach not only diversifies their income sources but also enriches their diets with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
20 Jul 2023
As natural inhabitants of the forest, cocoa trees thrive in these environments. By upholding and revitalizing our forests, we fortify the natural ecosystem vital for cocoa trees to flourish. This practice empowers cocoa farmers to sustain their harvest while halting soil degradation, fostering a greener and more prosperous future.
27 Apr 2023
Farmers are more engaged and motivated than ever, seeing the numerous benefits that these projects bring. Neighboring villagers are also eager to join the movement, recognizing the positive impact on their lives and the environment.
19 Apr 2023
Not only do Forest Gardens offer numerous benefits to farming families and the surrounding environment, but they also help capture an impressive 62.8 metric tonnes of carbon on average over 20 years! Let's celebrate these amazing farmers and their contributions to a greener future!
18 Jan 2023
Trainers visit and inspect a forest garden where Cocoa is being grown alongside other trees, shrubs, fruits and vegetables.
18 Jan 2023
Teaching Farmers how to create their own Tree Nurseries is a big part of the Forest Garden approach!
12 Jul 2022
“I have learned how to make herbal pesticides that are helping with my crops like the pawpaw and lemons,” says Betty Ohwenya.
12 Jul 2022
“I am grateful for the skills and knowledge we are getting from the project,” says farmer Wabwire Johnson
12 Jul 2022
When Thomas Wesonga joined the agroforestry training program seven years ago, he had no idea he would be using the knowledge for the rest of his life....
20 Jun 2022
The 55-year-old used to see her land as a setback to farming. After her hu...
2 Jun 2022
A few of them are the incredible amount of people working on the front lines of climate change - feeding their communities, restoring biodiversity + making a big impact on our environment. We work in thousands of locations across Cameroon where we see our method have the most impact - and the great news is that the future of Africa's landscapes and many farming communities are looking bright because of your help. The Forest Garden Approach restores landscapes and helps farmers overcome challenges brought on by climate change.
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