Fairtrade Africa, Max Havelaar France and the French Development Agency (AFD France) have launched the Ghana Agroforestry for Impact (GAIM) Project at a short ceremony in Goaso, in the Ahafo region of Ghana.
The project will be implemented in the Asunafo North municipality and Asunafo South district of the Ahafo region. One thousand, two hundred (1,200) farmers and households and 20 communities from three Fairtrade certified cooperatives will benefit from the project.
These are; the Asunafo North Municipal Cooperative Cocoa Farmers Union, Kukuom Cooperative Cocoa Farmers and Marketing Union and Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union.
The GAIM Project is a three-year project (2024-2026) being implemented by Fairtrade Africa. It seeks to contribute to the improvement of livelihoods and climate change resilience through the agroecological transition of cocoa farms in three main focus areas; Strengthen Fairtrade certified cocoa cooperatives to support their farmers in the agroecological transition, Contribute to the ecological intensification of smallholder cocoa production systems and Improve and diversify cocoa farmers’ income and livelihood.
A press release issued by Fairtrade Africa dated March 26, 2024 stated that, “Ghana is the second largest cocoa producer in the world and cocoa is the main export crop. Cocoa production in Ghana faces challenges like increasing environmental degradation, deforestation, aging farmers, pest and diseases and climate change. Since agriculture production in Ghana — including cocoa, largely depends on rainfed agriculture — climate change continues to have impact on cocoa production (declining in yield, tree mortality, pest and diseases etc.)”
The release further noted that “over reliance on cocoa as the main source of income for the farming households has become unsustainable as most farmers suffer during the lean seasons. On the other hand, women are actively involved in cocoa farming but are hardly recognised and underrepresented in cooperatives, particularly in management and marketing roles.”
According to Fairtrade Africa, “This lack of diversity reinforces gender inequalities that are contrary to human rights and hinder sustainable development. Additionally, producers need to comply with emerging regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This supply chain regulation will no longer allow imported products in Europe that contributes to deforestation or forest degradation. In order to help address these challenges, climate change adaptation and mitigation, improving farmers’ incomes and protecting forests are high on the agenda of the chocolate and cocoa industry, many NGOs and governments globally.”
The organization explained that “The GAIM project will therefore help provide tools to farmers to fight against the adverse effects of climate change, their dependence on the sole commodity of cocoa and against ageing cocoa farms through Dynamic Agroforestry Techniques (DAF). Additionally, to ensure the sustainability of the actions, the GAIM project will strongly promote women in leadership and the involvement of the youth in cocoa farming through the Women’s School of Leadership (WSOL) and youth modules. Under GAIM, the Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) concept will also be strengthened to promote financial inclusion among beneficiary farmers. “
In his remarks, the Execuitve Director of Fairtrade Africa, Mr. Isaac H. Tongola said their goal is to do more to empower cocoa farmers and more women and youth. He said his outfit is therefore committed and open to partnering with government ministries, departments and agencies, like-minded NGOs, traders, chocolate brands and other commercial brands, as well as the donor community in order to achieve more.
“I am therefore, on this special occasion calling on all present here and beyond to support and partner with Fairtrade Africa, Max Havelaar France, the French Development Agency and the farmer cooperatives, especially the women and the youth, to achieve more in the cocoa sector to improve households, cooperatives, communities, this beautiful country Ghana and Africa”, he added.