On September 21, 2023, a civil society platform was launched in Côte d’Ivoire with the aim of supporting cocoa farmers towards a more sustainable practice. With nearly a million producers, the cocoa sector is one of the country’s economic pillars, but it faces many challenges, particularly in terms of traceability.
This civil society initiative aims to raise awareness and inform producers about new regulations related to traceability, in order to help them adapt to the requirements of the European market. The platform works closely with 55 cocoa producer organizations, providing them with clear and precise information on the standards to be respected.
One of the main challenges for producers is to understand the meaning of traceability and to put in place systems to guarantee it. This includes being able to trace the origin of cocoa beans from planting to their export. This requires additional efforts, such as sorting quality cocoa beans and hiring people who specialize in data collection and entry.
Planters’ organizations see this civil society initiative as valuable assistance in their approach towards a more sustainable practice. By being better informed about new regulations and benefiting from support, they are able to implement concrete actions to meet the requirements of the European market.
In the medium term, the civil society platform aims to expand its action by reaching around a hundred farmer organizations spread across the 13 regions where cocoa is grown in Côte d’Ivoire. This expansion will strengthen sustainable practices in the sector and guarantee the traceability of cocoa beans, thus helping to improve the reputation of Ivorian cocoa on international markets.
In conclusion, the establishment of a civil society platform in Ivory Coast to support cocoa farmers towards sustainable practice is a promising step forward for the sector. By providing adequate information and support, this initiative will help guarantee the traceability of cocoa beans and maintain the competitiveness of the Ivorian sector on international markets. Producers are thus better prepared to face the new demands of the European market and ensure the sustainability of their activity.