As part of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative, Sucden continues to support sustainable cocoa production through agroforestry and forest restoration efforts in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
Now in its fifth year as a CFI member, Sucden shares its contribution to this collective journey toward more resilient cocoa landscapes. One of the many stories that brings this work to life is that of Koffi Daniel, a cocoa farmer in Côte d’Ivoire, whose journey with agroforestry demonstrates how environmental stewardship and improved livelihoods can go hand in hand.
Koffi Daniel, a 47-year-old cocoa farmer from Topkakro, Côte d’Ivoire, has spent over two decades cultivating cocoa on his 2.5-hectare farm. He delivers his harvest to Cocoofem, a local cooperative in Bouaflé, to support his wife and six children. However, in recent years, Koffi has struggled with declining yields, leaving him uncertain about his farm’s future. “The soil has become dry because of the low rains and the cocoa trees are drying out because of the high heat” Koffi explains. “We are starting to feel that our farming efforts are in vain”.
His fears were confirmed when Sucden organized awareness sessions at Cocoofem. Through these sessions, Koffi learned that the absence of shade trees on his farm was accelerating soil degradation and harming his cocoa trees. Determined to take action, Koffi joined an agroforestry project. As part of the initiative, he received 30 shade trees free of charge. Brigadiers planted the trees across one hectare of his land and provided ongoing supervision and agricultural advice to help Koffi nurture the new trees alongside his cocoa crops.
Koffi reports that the presence of field agents and supervision has allowed him to properly monitor the trees planted in his field and to get agricultural advice. This support has given him hope. “I am reassured and convinced that in the years to come, my field will be able to survive and even produce sustainably,” he says. For Koffi, the impact goes beyond short-term relief—it represents a long-term solution. The newly planted trees are helping to restore soil fertility, regulate temperature, and create a more resilient environment for his cocoa farm. Koffi’s story is just one example of how agroforestry initiatives are transforming cocoa farming communities. By integrating trees into their fields, farmers are not only improving productivity but also contributing to the broader goal of forest protection and restoration.
