Fairtrade Africa, Fairtrade International and Proforest Africa, have launched a project to foster deforestation-free cocoa value chains in Ghana through regenerative agriculture in compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The project, dubbed “Partnership for Deforestation-free Cocoa Supply Chains (P4DCG) will target 14,804 smallholder cocoa farmer families, government institutions, local authorities and the cocoa industry in three districts in the Ashanti, Eastern and Ahafo Regions.
The Project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and Fairtrade Germany.
The P4DCG project will focus on skills development on climate smart agriculture, traceability systems, financial inclusion, gender equality and youth inclusion.
Expected outcomes are increased sustainable, deforestation-free cocoa productivity, market access and higher incomes.
Ghana, the second-largest cocoa producer, has over 800,000 smallholder farmers who depended on cocoa.
While vital for the economy, cocoa production drives deforestation due to extensive methods.
The sector faces challenges regarding compliance with the EUDR, which aims to reduce agriculture-driven deforestation.
Ghana’s cocoa farmers struggling with profitability and environmental degradation risk to lose EU market access due to potential non-compliance with environmental standards, threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
Leveraging Fairtrade Africa and Proforest’s programmes in Ghana, the P4DCG project promises scalable solutions for sustainable, deforestation free cocoa production, focusing on dynamic agroforestry, climate adaptation, and enhanced market access through compliance with EU regulations, the project will build local capacities for broad, lasting impacts.
It will also seek wider adoption of methods beyond targeted areas and sectors through robust partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Mr Edward Akapire, Head of Region, West Africa Region of Fairtrade, speaking at the launch of the project at Kyebi in the Offinso Municipality of the Ashanti Region, indicated that his outfit would work collaboratively with partners to support cocoa farmers in Ghana with a pathway to higher incomes.
Partners would also ensure access to finance and utilize the potential of women and young people to contribute to the success of the project, he added.
Mr Chris Oluoch, the Programmes Director of Fairtrade Africa, said Fairtrade Africa recognized the importance of farmers complying with the European Union Deforestation Regulation, hence the commitment of partners to address the farmers’ challenges.
“Initiatives like the P4DCG project that target cocoa landscapes with the overall aim to transform the sector with regenerative, climate-resilient practices; align with Fairtrade Africa’s strategic goals of sustainable farming systems and transformed and strengthened producer organisations.”
Mr James Parker, the Head of Programmes for Proforest Africa, emphasised the need for farmers to reintroduce regenerative agricultural practices to boost cocoa production, while complying with other international regulations like EUDR.
