agroforestry
WHY IT MATTERS
Cocoa production depends on healthy and resilient farming systems. Integrating trees and agricultural crops within cocoa farms can support biodiversity, soil protection, water regulation and climate resilience while contributing to improved and long-term farm productivity.
Agroforestry systems can be adapted to local environmental conditions and farmer priorities, allowing cocoa production to coexist with diversified vegetation and ecosystem functions.
Agroforestry systems can be adapted to local environmental conditions and farmer priorities, allowing cocoa production to coexist with diversified vegetation and ecosystem functions.
OUR APPROACH
Transparence Cacao promotes agroforestry as its reference production model across participating origins.
Working through producer organisations and local implementation structures, the programme supports farmers in progressively integrating trees into cocoa production systems adapted to local conditions. Activities are designed according to environmental opportunities, available species, production objectives and farmer aspirations.
Support includes access to planting material, seedling nursery development, technical guidance and/or farmer training. Priorities are defined through local environmental assessments and continuous dialogue with producer organisations and farmers.
Working through producer organisations and local implementation structures, the programme supports farmers in progressively integrating trees into cocoa production systems adapted to local conditions. Activities are designed according to environmental opportunities, available species, production objectives and farmer aspirations.
Support includes access to planting material, seedling nursery development, technical guidance and/or farmer training. Priorities are defined through local environmental assessments and continuous dialogue with producer organisations and farmers.
Transparence cacao promotes tree planting within cocoa plots,
notably through agroforestry systems.
notably through agroforestry systems.
OUR LONG
TERM AMBITIONS
Transparence Cacao aims to progressively expand agroforestry adoption across participating origins and strengthen the capacity of producer organisations and farmers to manage diversified and resilient farming systems.
The programme seeks to promote long-term tree integration adapted to local environmental, agronomic and economic conditions.
The programme seeks to promote long-term tree integration adapted to local environmental, agronomic and economic conditions.
100%
of cocoa plots under agroforestry or agroecology across all origins
of cocoa plots under agroforestry or agroecology across all origins
2025 INDICATORS
2,5 million
tree seedlings distributed since 2018
62 %
of plots under agroforestry systems
20 000
farmers engaged in agroforestry activities
in practice
Building agroforestry systems through long-term farmer partnerships
Since 2018, agroforestry has been promoted as a reference production model across Transparence Cacao’s sourcing origins. Working through producer organisations and local partners, the programme supports the development of nurseries, the distribution of planting material and the integration of trees into cocoa farms adapted to local conditions.
Between 2018 and 2025, more than 150 demonstration plots were established, 50 nurseries were created and over 2.35 million cocoa and shade tree seedlings were distributed to participating farmers. In 2025 alone, 632,789 seedlings were distributed across programme origins.
To strengthen local implementation capacity, 84 nursery technicians have been trained and 53 cooperatives now operate with trained field officers and environmental committees supporting agroforestry activities. Today, 62% of cocoa sourcing within Transparence Cacao is produced under agroforestry systems.
Between 2018 and 2025, more than 150 demonstration plots were established, 50 nurseries were created and over 2.35 million cocoa and shade tree seedlings were distributed to participating farmers. In 2025 alone, 632,789 seedlings were distributed across programme origins.
To strengthen local implementation capacity, 84 nursery technicians have been trained and 53 cooperatives now operate with trained field officers and environmental committees supporting agroforestry activities. Today, 62% of cocoa sourcing within Transparence Cacao is produced under agroforestry systems.