Sustainable Cocoa Farming Transforming Lives, Boosting Conservation in Cameroon

In the lush Campo Ma'an region of Southern Cameroon, amidst flourishing cocoa trees, Francine Abessolo, a mother of three, is witnessing a remarkable transformation. This positive shift is a direct result of the recent surge in global cocoa prices.

Abessolo, from the Ma'an community near Campo Ma’an National Park (CMNP), shared her inspiring story, highlighting the transformative impact of the African Wildlife Foundation's (AWF) interventions.

CMNP, spanning 2,680 square kilometers, is a biodiversity haven, home to critically endangered western lowland gorillas, endangered central chimpanzees, and other remarkable species like forest elephants, leopards, and giant pangolins. Unfortunately, the park faces threats from human activities such as poaching, illegal wildlife trade, logging, agriculture, and coastal development, all of which jeopardize the habitat and wildlife.

AWF engages with communities around the park, promoting alternative livelihoods to reduce poaching, supporting sustainable resource management practices, and bolstering anti-poaching efforts by providing eco-guards and community scouts with essential technology and equipment. These multifaceted efforts aim to alleviate pressure on the park, safeguard its biodiversity, and enhance the well-being of neighboring communities.

Cocoa Farming: A Sustainable Solution

Through the Tropical Forest and Rural Development (TF-RD) program, AWF and Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) collaborated to implement sustainable cocoa farming for local communities near the park.

Abessolo ventured into cocoa farming in 2013, facing initial challenges. In 2018, her 2.5-hectare farm yielded a meager 60 kilograms of cocoa, sold at a low price of XAF 650 (USD 1.04 per kg).

Determined to improve, she joined the Tropical Forest and Rural Development program. "Life used to be a struggle," she confided, "but thanks to this initiative, everything has changed. I am deeply grateful for the empowering opportunities."

With support from the German Development Bank (KfW), AWF implemented a three-year program in 2019 to enhance conservation and community development. The program equipped the local community with cocoa-growing knowledge and better farming techniques, leading to increased cocoa output and local incomes. 

Bagyeli Community receiving training 

The initiative has empowered the community with sustainable income sources, reducing their reliance on practices such as bushmeat hunting and poaching, which threatened the biodiversity of Campo Ma'an National Park. This shift has fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation for conservation within the communities.

Abessolo's recent harvest is a testament to the program's success. In March 2024, she produced 123 kilograms of top-quality beans, fetching a much higher price of XAF 4,120 (about USD 7.04 per kg)—an impressive 118.5% increase.

"I'm overjoyed with the earnings I've made this year," she shared. "It has allowed me to finally pay off my debts, and now my children are eating better. I can now pay their school fees without any difficulty."

Abessolo is one of 300 farmers reporting improved cocoa yields, leading to increased food security. In exchange for better farming techniques and market access, farmers commit to promoting biodiversity conservation.

Another cocoa farmer, Antoine Kafack, stated, "The recent price hike is a significant change. Previously, we earned just enough to cover our costs, but now, our profits have increased substantially, allowing for reinvestment and improved living standards."

Samuel Nkembo, a cocoa farmer in Niete, highlighted the transformation his family and community experienced after joining the program.

"My harvest has increased significantly, allowing me to finally afford my daughter's surgery. This program has improved our financial stability, strengthened our community ties, and lessened our impact on the environment," Nkembo said.

Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development

With KfW funding, AWF has distributed 36,094 cocoa seedlings to over 300 farmers in nine villages near CMNP, establishing 115 hectares of cocoa plantations.

This initiative has directly benefited 140 members of the indigenous community and indirectly impacted an additional 1,809 villagers. This KfW-funded project has been delivered to villages in Ma'an and Akom 2, including Messama 1, 2, and 3, Bidja, Efoulan 1, Nko’ongop, and Nyabitande.

The distribution of cocoa and plantains, along with training, has empowered local farmers. Planting these trees has reduced deforestation and promoted soil health practices that sequester carbon, mitigating climate change.

Through the cocoa-based agriculture initiative, AWF engages communities in sustainable practices that ease pressure on wildlife in CMNP and generate more income, creating a future for both people and wildlife to co-exist. These initiatives have resulted in an 83% decrease in poverty and a 60% decline in poaching activities as of 2022.