Cocoa chains in Ghana are resilient, sustainable and inclusive

The cocoa sector in Ghana is more resilient, sustainable and inclusive, contributing to a living income for producers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, including women and youth, while increasing the availability of sustainably produced food products on the market. In its 2022-2026 Ghana DGD programme, Rikolto is committed to ensuring that the cocoa sector in Ghana is more resilient, sustainable and inclusive, providing a living income for farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs, while ensuring the availability of sustainably produced food products on the market. To achieve our objective, the programme is built on three thematic areas which also form the core of our global cocoa agenda. These include: 1- Sustainable cocoa production The average size of farms and the level of productivity in the cocoa-producing regions are significantly low (farm size between 2 and 3 ha, for a productivity level of about 400 kg/ha). Therefore, the programme takes an integrated approach to increasing producer income through crop diversification and the establishment of intensification and rehabilitation service delivery units. 2- Market inclusion Inclusive markets that offer transparent, fair and mutual beneficial relationships between different market actors are key to developing a resilient cocoa sector in Ghana. The programme therefore supports producers of cocoa and other crops within cocoa landscapes to access both international and local markets in order to enhance collaboration between farmers and market players. The aim is to facilitate the development of inclusive business relationships for cocoa and other products derived from diversification between farmers, SMEs, input suppliers, buyers. The programme also sets up a support plan to empower women and young people through the creation of viable SMEs that will create decent employment opportunities for women and youth in cocoa producing communities in Ghana. 3- Enabling policy environment The programme will engage public institutions, private sector actors and development partners to develop or advocate for land-friendly reforms and increased investment in the cocoa sector in target regions.