The importance of sustainability in the cocoa sector in Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast is one of the world’s largest cocoa producers, with nearly a million farmers depending on the crop for their livelihood. However, the cocoa industry faces several challenges, particularly with regard to the sustainability of the sector.
It is in this context that a civil society platform was launched on September 21, 2023 to support cocoa farmers towards a more sustainable practice. This initiative aims to raise awareness among industry players of sustainability standards and regulations, in order to help them adapt to new requirements.
One of the major issues facing cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast is traceability. Indeed, the European Union recently required that cocoa beans exported to its member countries be traceable, that is to say that their origin be clearly identified and that their production respects environmental and social criteria.
Cocoa traceability poses several challenges for farmers. In particular, they must adopt new sustainable agricultural practices, reduce their carbon footprint, preserve forests and protected areas, and respect workers’ rights. All this requires financial investments and restructuring of farms.
This is where the civil society platform comes in. By collaborating with cocoa producer organizations, it aims to raise awareness and inform farmers about the new regulations and to support them in implementing sustainable practices. This includes training on good agricultural practices, traceability techniques, management of agroforestry areas, and many other aspects linked to the sustainability of the sector.
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to help cocoa farmers secure their long-term livelihood while preserving natural resources and meeting the expectations of international markets. By working together, civil society, producer organizations and public authorities can contribute to a positive transformation of the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire.
In conclusion, sustainability is a crucial issue in the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire. The establishment of a civil society platform to support planters towards sustainable practices demonstrates the importance given to this issue. By raising awareness and training stakeholders in the sector, it is possible to create a more sustainable future for the cocoa industry in Côte d’Ivoire.