As part of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, ECOM advances sustainable cocoa production through integrated agroforestry, forest conservation, and strengthened traceability systems.
Now in its seventh year as a CFI signatory, ECOM continues to tackle deforestation while promoting resilient landscapes and empowering farming communities. For example, Ibrahim, a cocoa farmer in Ghana’s Assin North District, has benefitted from ECOM’s capacity-building programs focused on sustainable agricultural practices and community-led approaches. His journey reflects how combining environmental stewardship with inclusive programs for gender and youth engagement enhances farm productivity and secures livelihoods for future generations.
My name is Ibrahim, and I am a 54-year-old farmer living in Doreyem in the Assin North District, Central Region (Ghana, West Africa). I am married to Bernice, and we have seven children, ranging from 7 to 31 years old. I am a Cocoa farmer, and the size of my cocoa farm is 4.2 acres (1.68 hectares). I have land titles for my farm, which I inherited from my father. This farm has been mapped by the Field Trainers from ECOM. I am a registered and active member of ECOM’s Doreyem farmers’ group.
I came to understand climate change and its effects on the environment through our society trainings organized by the Field Officers from ECOM. As a cocoa farmer, I observed that high temperatures and the inconsistent changes in the rainfall pattern were affecting my cocoa yields in addition to the high disease occurrence, including Black pod disease.
“Now, it is very difficult to predict the weather patterns compared to the past. When the rain comes, it is very heavy but lasts a short time, which causes soil degradation. On the other hand, there is a scorching sun, which brings a lot of heat and lasts very long which causes the leaves of my cocoa trees to wither”.
I am currently using less agrochemicals than before in controlling pests and diseases due to the knowledge I have acquired on Integrated Pest and Disease Management. The agroforestry system plays a key role in maintaining the health of my cocoa farm through the provision of shade coverage and addition of nutrients from the dead leaves and branches, which increase the soil organic matter.
I have participated in several society trainings organized by the Field Officers where we discussed deforestation and the negative impacts on the environment. I have also received training on women empowerment and youth development, and I believe in gender inclusion and equality.
