Regenerating ecosystems
for farmers to prosper
Forests are disappearing, and so are canopies that protect smaller trees with shade, such as the cocoa tree.
What Cocoa Horizons does
Cocoa Horizons progresses on deforestation-free cocoa while investing in the productivity of cocoa farming in suitable areas, preserving eco-systems and restoring biodiversity on existing farmland.
How?
In 2022/23 saw the start of implementing an agroforestry farming model: by planting innate forest trees alongside cocoa trees aiming to improve farms’ resilience to pests and climate change, promote soil regeneration, water conservation and enhance biodiversity.
Farm mapping | Through the farm mapping efforts of the Cocoa Horizons program, we take active measures to prevent cocoa cultivation in protected areas. |
Planting of shade trees | Shade trees were distributed to cocoa farmers, which are planted alongside cocoa trees to re-create forest canopy, providing shade and protection, as well as enhancing soil moisture and fertility. |
Boosting Farm Income and Resilience | Agroforestry offers farmers a path to increased income and improved livelihoods. By incorporating trees into their farms, farmers can diversify their income sources, improve soil fertility, and boost cocoa yields over the long term. |
Soil regeneration and water conservation | The addition of diverse tree species contributes to the health of the soil by increasing organic matter content and water retention capabilities, which are essential for sustainable agriculture. |
Biodiversity enhancement | Agroforestry supports a wide range of flora and fauna, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity within cocoa farming landscapes. |
What Callebaut contributed to Cocoa Horizons activities in 2022/23
56 | hectares of farmland were enabled for agroforestry. |
38.700 | farmers delivered cocoa grown on mapped farms. Farm mapping ensures no cocoa is coming from protected areas. |
59% | of cocoa was proven not to be contributing to deforestation. |
702.425 | shade trees were distributed to farmers. |
23.117 | tons of carbon were sequestered through all these environmental activities. |
