Cocoa Agroforestry Forum to take place 19-20 October in Soubré, Côte d’Ivoire

The IDH Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes (ISLA) is convening a platform to facilitate public-private dialogue and joint action between government, industry and local populations in the wider Taï Forest region.

The IDH Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes (ISLA) is convening a platform to facilitate public-private dialogue and joint action between government, industry and local populations in the wider Taï Forest region.

The platform aims to develop a better balance between agriculture, forest, and people in order to stop the region from being deforested. In the current debates, the concept of cocoa agroforestry is considered a promising solution. To explore the concept, and get clarity on its implications, IDH will pilot co-funded projects and programs that take this approach in the Taï forest region.

As a kick off and to engage key players in the region, IDH is organizing a Cocoa Agroforestry Forum. The forum will take place on 19-20 October, 2016, in Soubré, Côte d’Ivoire, and will include one field day, bringing together many players: cooperatives and companies, donors, Ivorian institution, research structures and NGOs.

The main objective is to develop the knowledge and practical tools to successfully implement agroforestry in the cocoa sector (and potentially beyond) in Côte d’Ivoire. Discussions will include the  agronomic, economic and policy challenges of implementing cocoa agroforestry in Côte d’Ivoire, with a focus on the business case for the farmer. Continuing to build on the experiences and expertise of others  will be paramount to successfully implementing agroforestry in cocoa and other sectors, such as rubber, in Côte d’Ivoire.

New Foresight Consultancy  is developing a model to gain insight in the business case of agroforestry for the farmer. The results of their findings will be published in a learning brief that will be publically available by October 2016, and will serve to inform participants as the basis of discussion at the forum.

Expected outcomes of the forum are an agreement on the main building blocks of cocoa agroforestry, guidelines to design (pilot) projects and the establishment of a framework for the business case of cocoa agroforestry. A follow-up meeting will be organized in November in order to discuss the policy implications with decision makers.

For more information on this project contact:

Sanne Heijnen

Program Officer Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes

Heijnen@idhsustainabletrade.com