The Cocoa and Forests Initiative Action Plan

1. INTRODUCTION

J. H Whittaker’s signed to the Cocoa & Forests Initiative since 2018. Since then, it has been committed to implementing interventions in its supply chain that fulfil the 3 CFI commitments. In Ghana we source from 4 cocoa cooperatives in the Central and Western regions. We are committed to developing these cooperatives through the implementation of interventions and actions that improve farmers’ livelihood, protects, and restore forest and improve rural life. This report provides update on the progress made by J. H. Whittaker’s on its commitment to the Cocoa & Forests Initiative in Ghana. 

2. THE COCOA & FORESTS INITIATIVE: COLLECTIVE ACTION TO END COCOA-RELATED DEFORESTATION

The governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana and 35 leading cocoa and chocolate companies, representing 85% of global cocoa usage, joined together in the Cocoa & Forests Initiative to help end deforestation and restore forest areas. Their combined actions play a crucial role in protecting and restoring biodiversity, sequestering carbon stocks in West African forests, and addressing climate change in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The Cocoa & Forests Initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land). 

The Cocoa & Forests Initiative is a public private partnership based on frameworks for action (Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana) and action plans for the private sector (Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana) and public sector (Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana) that spell out commitments to:

• Protect and restore forests,
• Promote sustainable cocoa production and farmers’ livelihoods, 
• Engage communities and boost social inclusion.  

To learn more, follow #CocoaAndForests on social media, or visit Cocoa & Forests Initiative. 

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF); IDH, the Sustainable Trade Initiative; and the Governments of Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana drive the Cocoa & Forests Initiative. King Charles III (then known as The Prince of Wales) launched the Initiative in March 2017.

Deforestation of tropical rainforests is a major issue in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which together produce nearly two-thirds of the world’s supply of cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate. According to Global Forest Watch, between 2002 and 2023, Côte d’Ivoire lost 28% and Ghana 13% of their humid primary forest, with a large portion of this loss attributable to cocoa farming expansion. 

A comprehensive analysis is required to determine the exact contribution of cocoa production to deforestation. WCF, CFI members, and partners are working together on science-based methods to determine the share of cocoa production to overall deforestation rates with a high level of accuracy in cocoa producing countries. Data reliability and a good knowledge of the cause and location of deforestation is essential to develop effective and adequate mitigation measures and ensure that WCF members and partners are compliant with regulations such as the EUDR. 

Cocoa provides crucial income to communities in rural West Africa, but farmers are too often faced with poverty. Poverty is one of the causes of deforestation. Accelerating a transition to sustainable livelihoods is essential for farmers’ economic security and a healthy planet. 

The Cocoa and Forests Initiative is an example of successful collaboration between cocoa origin governments and cocoa supply chain companies working together with cocoa producing communities to strengthen the sustainability of the cocoa sector by ending deforestation, promoting reforestation and improving sustainable livelihoods for cocoa farmers and their communities. 

3. WHAT ARE THE KEY COMMITMENTS IN THE COCOA & FORESTS INITIATIVE?

The first priority is the protection and restoration of forests that have been degraded. To this end, the governments and companies have pledged no further conversion of forest land for cocoa production and have committed to the phased elimination of illegal cocoa production and sourcing in protected areas. 

Both countries are introducing a differentiated approach for improved management of forest reserves, based on the level of degradation of forests. In 2019, the government of Côte d’Ivoire adopted and published a new forest code which, among other things, put forth policies for the promotion of cocoa agroforestry to restore degraded land, improve forest cover, and promote sustainable livelihoods and agriculture in the classified forests and rural zones. Both governments have shared maps on forest cover and land-use, and continue to update the maps, including socio-economic data on cocoa farmers, to inform private sector investments. Companies have made significant investments in the promotion of cocoa agroforestry and the restoration of degraded forests. 

To ensure effective implementation and monitoring of these commitments, companies have pledged to develop traceability from farm to the first purchase point for their own purchases of cocoa. They also work with governments to ensure an effective national framework for traceability encompassing all traders in the supply chain and to anticipate forthcoming due diligence legislation. The companies will similarly share information with the national satellite monitoring platforms to effectively monitor progress on CFI, as well as proactively address threats of new deforestation. 

The next critical priority is sustainable agricultural production and increased farmer incomes. These are essential pre-requisites for reducing pressure for agricultural encroachment into forests and strengthening the resilience of cocoa farmers to climate change. The governments and companies are accelerating investment in long-term productivity of cocoa in order to grow “more cocoa on less land.” Key actions include provision of planting materials for the promotion of cocoa agroforestry, training in good agricultural practices, soil fertility, land tenure reform, and capacity building of farmers’ organizations. Sustainable livelihoods and income diversification for cocoa farmers are being accelerated through food crop diversification, agricultural inter-cropping, and development of mixed agroforestry systems and shade-grown cocoa. 

The final area of focus is strong community engagement and social inclusion, with a particular focus on women and youth. The governments and companies have committed to full and effective consultation and participation of cocoa farmers in the design and implementation of key actions, and promotion of community-based management models for forest protection and restoration. The governments have adopted social and environmental safeguards and are assessing and mitigating the social impacts and risks of any proposed land-use changes on affected communities. 

2024 PROGRESS REPORT

4. FACTS & FIGURES 

• Over 96,000 shade tree seedlings distributed.
• 4,013 farmers trained in Good Agricultural Practices
• 4,013 farmers trained in Climate Smart Cocoa and forest protection modules
• 6,563 cocoa farms mapped (100% of farms)
• Over 2,000 farmers benefiting from water and sanitation facilities

5. J.H WHITTAKER'S COCOA & FORESTS INITIATIVE PROGRESS

Forest protection and restoration 

In 2024, Whittaker’s made significant progress in its efforts to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable cocoa production. All Whittaker’s 4 cooperatives successfully mapped all 6,563 farms under their management, representing 100% of our total farms. The mapping helped to identify and collect polygonal GPS delineation data for our cocoa plantations. Polygonal GPS data from our farm mapping was a crucial step towards monitoring, reducing, and preventing further conversion of forest lands for cocoa production. By mapping the farms, valuable insights are gained into the land use and potential deforestation risks associated with cocoa farming. The deforestation risk assessment covered 9,451 hectares of cocoa lands. 

Consequently, 100% of the cocoa produced by farmers within our network is traceable. Our traceability system guarantees that no cocoa purchases originate from national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and wildlife reserves. We are contributing to the preservation of valuable ecosystems and promoting responsible cocoa production.

We supported our 4 cooperatives to distribute 96,000 tree seedlings across the 9,451 hectares of farmland. This initiative promotes the restoration and expansion of forest cover, providing important habitat for wildlife and contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation.

Training sessions for 4,013 farmers on climate-smart cocoa production, with a special focus on agroforestry were conducted. Farmers were educated on the importance of shade trees, tree, and shade management. As a result, all 4,013 farmers have adopted agroforestry and are planting shade trees on their farms. This adoption of climate-smart cocoa production practices contributes to mitigating the environmental impact of cocoa farming.

Sustainable production and farmers' livelihoods 

As part of meeting our commitment to sustainable production,  a total of 192,000 improved cocoa seedlings have been distributed to farmers. These seedlings are specifically selected for their high productivity and disease resistance. By providing farmers with improved cocoa seedlings, we aim to enhance the long-term productivity of cocoa farms while promoting sustainable farming practices. A total of 4,013 farmers within our network were trained in good agriculture practices. These trainings focused on various aspects of sustainable cocoa production, including soil management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. By equipping farmers with the knowledge and skills to implement good agricultural practices, Whittaker’s aims to improve the quality and yield of cocoa, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the sustainability of cocoa farming. To promote sustainable livelihoods and income diversification, Whittaker through our 4 cooperatives engaged more than 2,710 farmers in additional income-generating activities and financial literacy. These farmers were trained in various farm-level crop diversification strategies that help reduce the dependence on cocoa as the sole source of income. The aim is to promote economic resilience among farmers by exploring other viable agricultural activities that can generate income alongside cocoa production.

In order to promote financial inclusion among farmers, 15 new Village Savings and Loans Associations have been set up. These VSLAs serve as a means for farmers to access financing and improve their financial literacy. Farmers are trained in good management practices, the importance of savings, investment, and group leadership. 

Social inclusion and community engagement 

We have made significant strides in promoting social inclusion and community engagement as part of our commitment to CFI.  Community consultation meetings, bringing together farmers, community leaders, youth, and women have been organized. These meetings served as a platform for open discussions and feedback on our initiatives. The input received from these consultations was valuable in shaping the direction of our programs and ensuring community ownership in decision-making processes. To enhance communal forest preservation efforts, a total of 2542 individuals have been trained on forest laws, protection, and restoration. These trainings focused on educating farmers and community members on the importance of sustainable forestry practices, tree ownership, and land tenure. By strengthening their understanding of these topics, we aim to promote responsible land use and protect the forest ecosystem. 

We have actively engaged in women’s empowerment projects, impacting the lives of 1200 individuals. These projects include initiatives such as the establishment of village savings and loans associations and soap making groups. By providing women with opportunities for economic empowerment, Whittaker’s aims to enhance their financial independence and contribute to gender equality in the communities we operate in. The importance of youth engagement is recognized for its importance in community development, and therefore we involved 187 young individuals in various activities. One such initiative includes the engagement of field officers in farm mapping and farmer training. By actively involving the youth in these activities, we aim to foster a sense of environmental responsibility and equip the younger generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to sustainable agriculture practices.

Overall, Whittaker’s has made significant progress towards achieving the 3 intervention areas of CFI in forest protection and restoration, sustainable production and farmer livelihoods, and social inclusion and community engagement. The mapping of farms, deforestation risk assessment, traceability of cocoa, training in climate-smart practices, awareness raising, and tree planting initiatives collectively contribute to the achievement of forest protection and restoration. The efforts in organizing community consultation meetings, training on forest laws and protection, empowering women through various projects and activities, and engaging the youth in environmental initiatives collectively contribute to the achievement of CFI’s social inclusion and community engagement priority. The distribution of improved cocoa seedlings, training in good agriculture practices, promotion of income-generating activities and crop diversification, distribution of seedlings for intensive cocoa productivity, and the establishment of VSLAs collectively contribute to the achievement of sustainable production and farmer livelihoods.

Whittaker’s remains committed to fostering inclusive and empowered communities, ensuring the well-being of farmers, and will continue to implement sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of cocoa production while preserving the environment and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

ANNEX 1: TRACKING TABLES 

ANNEX 2: RESULT STORIES 

IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS THROUGH VSLAS, ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME.

Cocoa farming serves as the primary source of livelihood for most residents in our rural communities. However, because cocoa is a seasonal crop, farmers often face financial hardships during the off-season and are compelled to take loans from purchasing clerks and other private individuals. These loans are frequently secured using their farms as collateral, and if they default, they risk losing their household's main source of income.

Madam Mary Teiko, a 50-year-old cocoa farmer (sharecropper) from Sowodadiem- a small community in the Assin North district- experienced this firsthand when a loan her husband had taken was defaulted, putting their farm at risk.

Two years ago, as part of the iMPACT project, Agro Eco introduced the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) model in several communities within the Assin Fosu municipality. This initiative allows groups of 15 to 30 individuals to collectively save for a year and access monthly loans at a 5% interest rate to support their livelihoods. Agro Eco supports these groups by providing secure savings kits and passbooks to track transactions. At the end of each cycle, members receive payouts (share-outs) based on their shares, along with profits from interest and fines.

In many of our smaller communities, new initiatives often take time to gain trust. People usually wait to see results before participating. Madam Mary was among the first to join the inaugural VSLA group in Sowodadiem, named "Nyame Wo Tumi." She shared, "We've heard stories of people absconding with people's money, but having worked with Agro Eco (through iMPACT) for a long time, (they always bring good programs), I decided to give it a try," said Madam Mary.

After one year of saving, Madam Mary received GHC 1,550.00 during the share-out. She used GHC 1,200.00 to reclaim her husband's farm, taken as collateral, and the rest to pay for her child's Senior High School registration fees and to invest in her vegetable farm. "Through the susu (VSLA), I've been able to do something meaningful for my family. I now recommend VSLAs to everyone I know. I rejoined when we restarted this year, and I'm now saving to start a small trading business," stated Madam Mary.

Madam Mary's experience is representative of many members in VSLA groups established by Agro Eco across all iMPACT project areas.

Expanding this intervention to other farming communities holds great potential for improving finances and livelihoods.

Madam Mary Teiko

Madam Mary's experience is representative of many members in VSLA groups

6. CFI 2.0 CONTEXT 

We have reached an important milestone for The Cocoa & Forests Initiative with the successful completion of the collaboration’s first phase. Over the past five years, the signatory governments and companies have made significant progress towards eliminating deforestation and restoring forest areas.  Building on this partnership, there is a strong commitment from the companies and government, and other stakeholders, towards the continued and growing success of CFI. 

Both private sector and the governments agree that for CFI 2.0 (2023-2025) to be successful, we must accelerate and scale impact on the ground by building collective action and co-investment in priority landscapes in addition to supply-chain investments. Therefore, the focus of CFI 2.0 is to also implement public-private collaborations in priority landscapes to improve livelihoods, conserve forests and restore degraded area, thereby protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services, reducing and sequestering carbon, and establishing zero-deforestation landscapes. CFI 2.0 will also play a key role in building alignment with EU (and potentially other) due diligence legislation on deforestation.  

The Governments have adopted comprehensive plans (Côte d’Ivoire National Action plan (French and English), Ghana National Implementation Plan) for CFI 2.0 that outline key public sector priorities, actions and timelines in line with this common goal.  The CFI signatory companies have developed new action plans that set their targets for CFI 2.0 (2023-2025) in alignment with the national plans and Frameworks for Action. 

7. WHITTAKER'S OVERALL VISION FOR THE COCOA & FOREST INITIATIVE 2.0 

Whittaker’s fully supports CFI 2.0. Becoming a signatory to the CFI builds on our existing commitments to sustainable sourcing, and we welcome the accountability that the CFI will demand of the industry as a whole.
Among the 4 Coopratives that Whittaker’s sources from in Ghana, Whittaker’s supports the members to implement intervention beyond meeting certification requirements. Whittaker’s also support interventions that improves child development, health and sanitation among these farming communities. We would like to continue with these investments.

Whittaker’s is committed to ensuring forest and biodiversity protection in its supply chain. From 2024, we would like to implement advanced agroforestry among farmers within our supply chain.

8. OVERVIEW OF COMPANY ACTION PLAN 

By 2026, we aim to significantly improve our sustainability program with the 4 cooperatives we source cocoa from in Ghana. We are committed to achieving real impact among the farming communities, the farmers and the environment. The focus of our intervention would be on improving traceability (Farmforce), introducing advanced agroforestry and supporting cocoa communities to thrive (building schools, boreholes, toilet facilities).

9. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES AND INVESTMENTS OVERVIEW OF COMPANY ACTION PLAN 

Three pillars: 

1. Protect and restore forests, 
2. Promote sustainable cocoa production and farmers’ livelihoods 
3. Engage and boost social inclusion

• Planting minimum 70,000 shade trees in 1,000 hectares of cocoa farms. This would be rolled out over a 3 year program. 
• 100% of farms GPS mapped and deforestation risk assessment conducted
• Minimum 3 community have access to potable water and 1 school refurbished and/or built annually.

ANNEX 3: ACTION PLAN TABLES