Thanks for the shade trees!
Last year we were able to plant no fewer than 3,000 shade trees in West Africa thanks to the help of Wereldwinkels. Shade trees?! We did cocoa, right?! That's right. But the shade tree is essential for the growth of cocoa trees. In this blog we explain to you what happened with those shade trees and how these 3000 shade trees contribute to our mission.
Better productivityand less dependence on cocoa
One of our cooperation principles is higher productivity and quality and independence from cocoa. Cocoa farmers produce an average of 500 kg of cocoa beans per year. That is not enough to earn a living income. With investments in extra plant nutrition, protection against diseases and pests and extra labor, a farmer can increase his production to 800 kg per year. In addition, something else can contribute to a larger harvest. Planting shade trees creates a nice climate for cocoa trees. And in a nice climate a cocoa tree bears more fruit (you-know-who, cocoa pods).
Getting started in Ghana and Ivory Coast
Ourcocoa farmer accelerator Ywe went inFebruary to visit our cooperatives to hand over the money raised and take a look atnurseries< /span>; Shade trees are grown here.
Because we want cocoa farmers not to be aonly a depend on cocoa, we are extra happy with the shade tree. Shade trees can be harvested from the age of 10 to make furniture.
Curious about our other four collaboration principles? Read all about it on the mission pages on our website.