Diversification Center

We witnessed during the past 5 years working with our partner cooperative ECAM, the dependence of farmers on cocoa cultivation in Ivory Coast. Global loss of tree cover and cocoa tree diseases are reasons among others that negatively impacted the yield of cocoa farms. It resulted in a low level of producer empowerment.

In order to contribute to the financial empowerment of their members, ECAM came up with the idea of establishing a diversification center.

Income diversification

This place was first thought for giving training and leading producers in the setting up of micro farms at their own place. It has also been a financial support of installation for 50 farmers: construction of buildings, donation of equipment such as feeders and waterers, and eventually the donation of feed for chickens.

Training has been extended to 986 farmers on chicken farming !

Food security for cocoa-producing families

In the center itself, the production of broilers and laying hens is running on. This allows the sales of farm products like chickens, eggs and laying hens. Women’s group are organising the sales of eggs from the diversification center enabling them to have a new income generating activity leading to empowerment.

ECAM supports three schools canteens, 500 vulnerable producer families and 33 VSLA (Village Savings and Loans Association) by giving about 40% of their farm products.

A virtuous circle

ECAM saw the opportunity to use this chicken farm to manufacture Biofertilizer (Organic compost) to be distributed to the organic cocoa production group of the cooperative, around 100 members producing 100 tons of organic cocoa.

In addition to increasing the revenues of the cooperative and its members, this project contributes to the restoration of soil texture using organic fertilizers produced by the manure generated by the center rather than chemical fertilizers.

What are the next steps ?

The cooperative has the objective to develop a production of market gardening that includes cabbage, pepper eggplant and tomatoes. We are also looking at establishing a honey production site (Beekeeping). It could be both creating value and be a nice pollination boost for the region. Snail production is also considered as it is a well appreciated dish in the area.

The project is entirely managed by a committee headed by a technical project manager specialised in agropastoral activities. He is assisted in his task by two technicians. A specialist in livestock and another in agriculture. They both are responsible for coordinating all project activities.