Synergy of Four Villages for Fermented Cocoa

The full-day discussion session was a testament to the active participation and unwavering commitment of the 35 participants (15 women and 20 men), including farmers and village governments. Each village formulated follow-up plans that they had agreed upon to be implemented in their respective areas. The majority of participants expressed their commitment to continue developing fermented cocoa and to enhance the governance of their cocoa plantations. This collective decision sets a clear path for the future of cocoa development in these villages.

The Forest Conservation Strategy by Communities from YKAN has not only had a significant positive impact on cocoa farmers but also on forest conservation. It has helped farmers improve the quality and market value of their garden produce, leading to ecological balance, reasonable prices, and sustainability. For instance, well-preserved forests surrounding cocoa plantations can produce good-quality fermented cocoa, which can command a premium and stable price in the market. This provides a sense of security and certainty of good selling value for farmers, thus improving their welfare and fostering a hopeful future.

This highly productive meeting has led to strategic steps for environmental conservation and fostered a strong sense of unity among the communities. It has ignited a spark of hope, opening up new avenues for direct participation in forest conservation in their areas. The communities are optimistic about the future, envisioning more strategic steps to support environmental conservation while positively contributing to improving welfare and livelihoods.