Nurturing Sustainable Cocoa Futures from Nursery to Field

At EAFund, our commitment extends beyond providing resources; we actively accompany local farmers in their journey towards integrating sustainable practices into their agricultural activities. A recent visit to our cocoa project farms near Bangante, in Cameroon's West Region, offered a compelling glimpse into this collaborative effort, tracing the progress of cocoa seedlings nurtured in our dedicated nurseries to their new life in the fields.

The journey began at our bustling nurseries, the very heart of our sustainable cocoa initiative. Here, with EAFund's guidance and support, local farmers meticulously cultivate young cocoa seedlings, laying the foundation for a more ecologically sound future. These nurseries embody our shared vision, where traditional farming knowledge merges with innovative, sustainable techniques.

Our recent expedition took us about 12 kilometers from the nurseries, along the Banganteh-Foumbort highway, to one of the project farms where these young seedlings are now establishing themselves. The journey itself, an unexpected encounter with a refreshing downpour and light hail, underscored the realities farmers face and EAFund's commitment to supporting them through all conditions.

Upon arrival, the collaborative spirit between EAFund's team and the local farmers was immediately apparent. Together, we assessed the progress of the cocoa transplants. While a few plants showed signs of past challenges, likely due to earlier insecticide applications, the overwhelming majority displayed encouraging resilience, sprouting vibrant new leaves. This recovery is a testament to the farmers' dedication and their growing understanding of sustainable plant health management, a key focus of EAFund's accompaniment.

The afternoon was spent working side-by-side with the farmers, engaging in essential nurturing activities. EAFund's team shared best practices in gentle weeding techniques, emphasizing the importance of minimizing soil disturbance and promoting healthy growth without the need for harsh chemicals. This hands-on collaboration is central to our approach – empowering farmers with the knowledge and skills to adopt sustainable methods effectively.

As the day drew to a close, we took a walk around the farm, observing the thoughtful integration of diverse cultivations. With EAFund's support, farmers are implementing agroforestry principles, planting shade trees and companion crops alongside the cocoa. This not only enhances biodiversity and soil health but also provides additional income streams and strengthens the overall resilience of the farm – a direct result of EAFund's ongoing guidance in agro-ecological practices.

Our visit to the Bangante cocoa farm was a powerful reminder of the impact of collaborative partnerships. EAFund's role goes beyond simply providing resources; we are active partners, walking alongside local farmers, sharing expertise, and fostering the adoption of sustainable farming methods from the nursery to the field. The resilience of the young cocoa plants and the farmers' growing embrace of agro-ecological principles offer a promising glimpse into a future where cocoa farming in Bangante is both environmentally sound and economically viable, a vision we at EAFund are proud to champion.