All of these measures suggest greater resilience among organic cocoa farmers. Local farmers’ organisations, namely organic cocoa cooperatives, were found to be crucial community-level supporters of resilience. They facilitated organic certification and promoted diversified agroforestry systems by providing seedlings and extension services. Membership in these organisations also appeared to increase some farmers’ ethical motivation to cultivate cocoa sustainably. However, the initial fees to join an organic cocoa cooperative were seen as too high by some cocoa producers, hindering some of those interested from becoming members.
Local farmers’ organisations and organic certification important
Overall, farmers’ organisations and organic certification were found to support resilience among smallholding cocoa farmers for a variety of ecological, economic, and social reasons. Ecologically, organic farms featured more biodiverse compositions of crops and trees, capable of coping better with climate fluctuations and various environmental threats. Economically, organic-certification helped farmers obtain premium prices and market access for their crops. And socially, organic farming was associated with greater connectedness among farmers as well as access to training, enabling farmers to overcome threats by banding together and sharing knowledge.
Further information
Link to research paper:
Agroecosystem resilience and farmers’ perceptions of climate change impacts on cocoa farms in Alto Beni, Bolivia