Action
Year
2014 – 2015
This project was carried out during 2014-2015 and the content has not been updated anymore since. To learn about the most recent information on engaging with smallholder cocoa farmers, read our action on the implementation of a deforestation-free supply chain pilot.
The EU REDD Facility engages with the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, the private sector and smallholders to support development of deforestation-free cocoa production. The ultimate aim is deforestation-free agricultural production.
The objective of the EU REDD Facility was to support the Government of Côte d’Ivoire in building the enabling conditions for deforestation-free agricultural supply chains. The Facility partnered with the National REDD+ Commission, two private sector chocolate manufacturers and their suppliers, in particular smallholder cocoa producers, to demonstrate how deforestation-free supply chains could work in practice.
In September 2014, the President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, announced that the country would shift to zero-deforestation cocoa production in 2017. This positive step was the outcome of work with the National REDD+ Commission to build a business case for forest-friendly commodities in Côte d’Ivoire. Since the President’s announcement, stakeholders in the agricultural sector have urged the National REDD+ Commission to begin testing and implementing zero-deforestation commodity production. The EU REDD Facility is helping the National REDD+ Commission to demonstrate how a zero-deforestation policy can be adapted to the Côte d’Ivoire context.
Cocoa Farming in Côte d’Ivoire
Deforestation driven by commodity production, in particular the production of cocoa, has led to the loss of most of the natural forest in Côte d’Ivoire. Involving the private sector is critical to the success of a zero-deforestation initiative. Given the profitable returns from commercial agriculture, REDD+ incentives alone are unlikely to make a difference. At the micro-level, involving smallholder farmers is also important for zero-deforestation because they will need to improve their agricultural practices. The close involvement of the private sector, smallholder cocoa farmers and government makes this project unique and contrasts with the approach of zero-deforestation initiatives led by large palm oil producers, such as those operating in Indonesia and Liberia.
Involving these diverse parties brings new challenges and offers new insights to inform the actions of the EU REDD Facility going forward. Sustaining engagement with the agricultural sector, and coordinating with the Coffee-Cocoa Board and the Ministry of Agriculture, will be important. The National REDD+ Commission and the national FLEGT Unit at the Ministry of Forest and Water will also need to work together, notably to disseminate information about the new Forest Code, develop and implement regulations. Strengthening law enforcement in agricultural commodity production will require a concerted effort.
Our approach was three-pronged:
The project will deliver concrete results in 2017. Results in the initial stage include:
Cocoa Farming in Côte d’Ivoire