This requires extensive and close cooperation with a large number of regional and local farmers, who are educated to be local teachers at village level. Our partner SMS (Sustainable Management Service) recruits and trains Farmer Trainers in good agricultural, environmental and social practices. Farmer training is carried out by Farmer Trainers across all communities in groups of no more than 30 farmers. The farmertraining focus on three items:
- Good agricultural practices, soil fertility management and social practices related to agriculture
- Locally relevant adaptation strategies such as soil and water conservation, shade management, and rehabilitation of old cocoa farms. Farmers are encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly production practices as part of this process to improve overall ecosystem health, increase habitats and their connectivity and enhance biodiversity within the landscape.
- How to to improve their business skills and be able to identify and start additional business venture. Coexistence of both approaches can provide a buffer against climatic variations and economic shocks, thus conferring stability and sustainability to cocoa farmers‟ livelihoods.