Table of Contents
The sheer value that cocoa adds to the African economy cannot be understated. A 2018 World Bank report found that the combined exports of cocoa by Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, two of Africa’s largest cocoa producers, amounted to nearly $6 billion. By seizing and maximizing opportunities within the cocoa industry, African economies have the potential to boost their growth and bring about substantial socioeconomic benefits. But, achieving these promises calls for a harmonized and coordinated approach, hence the formation of the African Cocoa Coalition (ACC).
Introduction to the African Cocoa Coalition
The African Cocoa Coalition (ACC) is a brainchild formed from the meeting of several African cocoa-producing countries, researchers, professionals, and stakeholders. Formed in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2004, this coalition aims to forge a common front in addressing the challenges bevelling the African cocoa sector. With a focus on information sharing and collective action, the ACC is poised to empower African cocoa producing countries to become relevant and impactful players in the global cocoa economy.
According to articles by Fairtrade Foundation and Confectionery News, the ACC was formed as Africa’s response to the global cocoa crisis. It was clear that without a significant and collective effort, many African cocoa farmers would remain marginalized, with minimal benefits from their hard work. This spurred the formation of a coalition that spurs positive change and greater efficiency within the cocoa industry in Africa.
Vision and Goals for a Unified Cocoa Industry
The overarching vision of the African Cocoa Coalition is to attain “an efficient and sustainable world-class cocoa economy, driven by public and private sector partnership for the benefit of all stakeholders”. Key to this vision is the promotion of better farming systems, upgraded cocoa quality, efficient marketing strategies, research into the development of new cocoa varieties, and the protection of cocoa environment.
The fairly recent inaugural sector-wide meeting which took place in 2020, brought together stakeholders from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which produce over 60% of the world’s cocoa. They gathered under the auspices of ACC to draw a roadmap toward sustainable cocoa production. This meeting set an ambitious goal of assuring a ‘Living Income Differential’ (LID) for cocoa farmers, which according to an article by Reuters, could ensure a decent livelihood for the farmers, raise their incomes, and thus help alleviate poverty among cocoa-producing communities.
Strengthening the African Cocoa Value Chain
In line with their objectives and mission, the ACC has implemented a range of strategies to boost the value chain of the African cocoa industry. According to an article by Food Business Africa, one strategy is the promotion of consumer awareness and education to increase the domestic chocolate consumption — a move projected to have numerous benefits such as saving foreign exchange, providing employment, and growing the local economy.
Another solution being explored by the ACC, as reported by the Global Environment Facility, is the transformation of the cocoa sector from conventional to sustainable and climate-smart cocoa agroforestry systems. This could enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change, improve cocoa productivity, preserve biodiversity, and attract premium prices for their cocoa on the international market.
Empowering Cocoa Farmers through Collaboration
Often referred to as ‘black gold’, cocoa forms the backbone of several economies in the African continent. The African Cocoa Coalition (ACC) plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of this lucrative yet delicate industry. Going beyond countries’ border nearsightedness, the ACC fosters a spirit of unity and cooperation among all the major cocoa-producing nations in Africa.
Central to ACC’s ambition is the idea of empowering cocoa farmers by pulling them out of obscurity, bringing them onto a common platform, and letting their voices be heard across the robust cocoa supply chain. By doing so, the ACC aspires to secure a better future for these humble farmers, who are often at the receiving end of unequal distribution of proficiencies and profits.
Advocacy for Fair Trade and Pricing Policies
Fair trade and pricing policies play an instrumental role in safeguarding the welfare and interests of farmers. It is against this backdrop that ACC has been vigilant in its advocacy for sustainable and fair trade policies. These advocacy efforts are targeted at both national governments and international trade bodies to protect farmers from price instability that often leaves them impoverished.
To this end, the ACC has been a leading force in calling for transparency, value addition, and fairer trading systems in Africa. Their relentless campaigning culminated in historic 2020, when Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, the two biggest cocoa producers, established a floor price for cocoa. This was a significant achievement in the struggle against poverty among cocoa farmers and was widely greeted as an important milestone in their quest for economic justice.
Innovation and Sustainability in Cocoa Production
No conversation about the future of the cocoa industry would be complete without discussing innovation and sustainability. As the climate crisis continues to cast a long and unignorable shadow over the industry, the ACC places a crucial emphasis on sustainable farming practices and the use of technology in cocoa production.
One of the ways ACC is pushing for this is through encouraging the uptake of agroforestry, a technique that combines crops with trees in a mutually beneficial system. This practice not only helps in sequestering carbon but also maximizes land usage, thereby boosting productivity.
Additionally, the ACC is at the forefront in promoting the use of technology to track and monitor cocoa farm activities, as well as to provide crucial market and climate information to farmers. This digital transformation holds great promise for improving the efficiency and sustainability of cocoa farming in Africa.
In conclusion, the ACC is playing a crucial role in navigating the murky waters of the cocoa industry. Through collaboration, advocacy for fair trade policies, and a focus on innovation and sustainability, the African Cocoa Coalition stands as an essential player in turning Africa’s cocoa industry toward a sweeter future.
Building Resilience Against Climate Change
The African Cocoa Coalition (ACC) is leading the fight against climate change in Africa by implementing strategies designed to build resilience among cocoa farming communities. As climate change threatens the survival of the cocoa industry in Africa, the ACC recognizes the urgency to protect not only the economy but also the livelihood of many farmers.
The impact of climate change on cocoa production is significant, causing shifts in cocoa growing regions, reducing yields, and increasing the spread of diseases and pests. The ACC is responding by promoting sustainable farming practices that not only reduce the sector’s environmental footprint but also boost the resilience of cocoa crops to climate changes.
These practices include agroforestry, which integrates trees into cocoa farms to provide shade and improve soil fertility, and climate-smart agriculture which involves the use of resilient crop varieties, improved irrigation systems, and efficient fertilizers. Together, these practices are designed to enhance cocoa farms’ ability to withstand the negative effects of a changing climate.
The Role of Women and Youth in Cocoa Farming
In addition to climate change, the African Cocoa Coalition is also addressing socio-economic challenges, particularly the role of women and youth in cocoa farming. The ACC acknowledges the vital role women play in cocoa production and aims to empower them through various initiatives. Recognizing that women’s contribution often goes unrecognized, ACC’s initiatives, such as fair wage policies and training programs on farm management, aim to support women cocoa farmers and acknowledge their indispensable roles.
Furthermore, the ACC is very keen on engaging youth in cocoa farming. With the aging population of current cocoa farmers, attracting the younger generation to the cocoa farming business is crucial to ensure the sector’s future. The ACC conducts awareness programs and provides skill development opportunities to the youth on the possibilities of making a profitable and sustainable living from cocoa farming.
Looking Ahead: The Roadmap for a Prosperous Cocoa Future
As we look into the future, a road map for a prosperous cocoa industry involves a cohesive, concerted approach from all stakeholders – farmers, government, and industry leaders under the guidance of the African Cocoa Coalition.
With the goal of creating a sustainable and profitable cocoa sector, the ACC is continually exploring new strategies and technologies that can enhance productivity, resilience, and quality. For instance, the ACC is pioneering the use of digital tools like precision agriculture and mobile apps to deliver timely and precise advice to farmers.
Moreover, the ACC is also addressing market challenges. Fair trade and direct trade initiatives are creating better market opportunities for African cocoa farmers, ensuring they receive a fair price for their produce. The ACC is also fostering a culture of value addition on farms by encouraging farmers to engage in post-harvest activities like cocoa bean grading, fermentation, and chocolate production.
In conclusion, under the banner of the African Cocoa Coalition, Africa’s cocoa sector is uniting towards a sweet and prosperous future. By addressing climate change, empowering women, investing in youth, and redefining farming practices, the ACC is paving the way for a resilient, profitable, and sustainable cocoa industry in Africa. This united front presents a promising prospect in the face of the challenges that the industry currently encounters, heralding a brighter and sweeter future for Africa’s cocoa industry.