Project Update: "Cocoa, Trees and Climate Action"

What is the project about?

Over the past year, the Cocoa, Trees and Climate Action project has made strong progress in promoting sustainable cocoa farming in Peru. In partnership with the Norandino cooperative and Stella Bernrain, the initiative supports smallholder farmers in the San Martín and Amazonas regions to adapt to climate change through dynamic agroforestry practices.

In San Martín, farmers have successfully planted forestry seedlings from community nurseries. This year, we expanded activities into the Amazonas region, working with farmers along the Marañón River. This update focuses on progress in Amazonas.

In early August, project staff conducted an extensive field visit in Amazonas, joined by agroforestry expert Fortunato Velasquez from Ecotop (Bolivia). With decades of experience in dynamic agroforestry, Fortunato provided valuable guidance. Together with Norandino’s technical team, we visited farms to better understand the social and agroecological context of the region and to prepare designs for eight demonstration plots that will be set up with lead farmers.

During the visits, we took pH samples which showed that most soils in the region are quite acidic.   One important goal of the field visits was to figure out which plots are suitable as demonstration plots. Some cocoa plots are located in very remote areas, but for the demonstration plots accessibility is important so that other farmers can visit and learn from them. Fortunato demonstrated also how dynamic agroforestry can be established on fallow land without burning biomass, using the regrown vegetation as a natural starting point for a productive system. With “zero-burning” deforestation plots we aim to convince the farmers in the region that dynamic agroforestry without burning has many advantages over the common method of “slash and burn”.

We also discussed the importance of plantain suckers in agroforestry to help reduce soil acidity, and the role of pruning shade trees. Cut branches and stems are chopped into small pieces and spread over the soil to recycle nutrients and reduce soil acidity.

Earlier in the year, nurseries were established together with farmers. In contrast to San Martín, where communal nurseries were set up, in Amazonas farmers prefer individual nurseries since cocoa plots are more dispersed.

The concept of demonstration plots represents a new strategy in Amazonas. These plots will be jointly managed by Fortunato, field technicians, and host farmers, allowing farmers to directly experience the benefits and challenges of well-implemented agroforestry systems. Once they see how the approach works, they are more motivated to replicate it, building local capacity and enthusiasm for long-term sustainable change.

The remote location of the Amazonas project area makes implementation demanding. Some communities have no mobile coverage and are hours away from the nearest town, which makes it difficult to attract and retain field technicians. After some staff changes, we are now glad to be working with Deibe García.

In addition, our initial knowledge partner ChobaChoba could not continue its support. This challenge, however, created the opportunity to collaborate with Ecotop, an agroforestry consulting firm from Bolivia with over 30 years of experience in dynamic cocoa agroforestry. Their expertise is now strengthening the project and supporting our field activities.

Currently, field technicians are identifying the most suitable lead farmers for the demonstration plots. Together with farmers, they are selecting up to nine species of shade trees and fruit trees to be planted. They are also organizing workshops on organic practices, including soil and pest management, to ensure farmers can achieve good yields without relying on agrochemicals. By November and December 2025, the demonstration plots will be installed and ready to serve as learning sites for the wider farming community.

It is inspiring to witness the resilience and dedication of cocoa farmers and cooperative staff. Despite challenges such as remote locations, heavy rain, scorching heat, and limited infrastructure, they continue to cultivate high-quality organic cocoa. With strengthened support systems and dynamic agroforestry practices, this project is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and climate-resilient cocoa production in the region.

Author
Manuel Holzer
Head of Sustainability