On Friday 22 November 2024 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, an important validation workshop was held to present the preliminary findings from a survey on the income of cocoa producers to key stakeholders in the cocoa sector. The session took place as part of the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (SCI) activity to produce a comprehensive study on living income for cocoa producers in Cameroon. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including regulatory bodies, ministries, private sector, donors and non-governmental organizations.

Launched in 2020, the SCI – a collaborative effort between the European Commission and FAO – aims to promote a sustainable, equitable, and productive cocoa value chain from producer to consumer in key cocoa-producing nations such as Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. The initiative seeks to achieve sustainable cocoa production that guarantees a decent income for farmers, while also addressing deforestation and eradicating child labour.   

In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission are conducting a study to identify the income level needed for cocoa farmers in Cameroon to achieve a decent standard of living, and to determine the cocoa price required to achieve this income. The study is being developed in close partnership with Cameroonian authorities, notably the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (ONCC).

Lucien Belinga Nah, cocoa farmer checks pods on his plantation in Bianimi (Ntui), Cameroon. 

The study began in 2023 with an initial phase dedicated to defining and refining the dimensions of a 'decent life' for Cameroonian cocoa producers. These dimensions, encompassing food, education, health, and housing, were developed in collaboration with local experts and stakeholders. This phase was carried out in partnership with the Institute for Research, Socioeconomic Development, and Communication (IRESCO).

The second phase involved preparing and implementing a survey among cocoa-producing households and service providers to estimate the actual income of Cameroonian cocoa producers, evaluate the living income benchmark, and calculate the living income gap – the difference between actual incomes and the benchmark income level. This survey was conducted in collaboration with the Center for Studies and Research for Development (CERD). 

Athman Mravili, FAO sub-regional coordinator for Central Africa, underscored the importance of this study, stating: "Identifying the gap between a decent living income and the actual income of cocoa-producing households will enable Cameroonian authorities to design public policies that support the economic and social sustainability of the cocoa sector.”  He further added, “This tool can also be used by producers to estimate and advocate for a fair cocoa price". 

Workshops drive dialogue and collaboration

To ensure transparency in the process and encourage active participation, the preliminary survey results were presented to sector stakeholders through a series of workshops from 18 to 22 November. In Ebolowa, sessions were held for cocoa producers and cooperative representatives, while in Yaoundé, the scientific community convened to discuss the study's methodology.   

The final validation workshop, also held in Yaoundé, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including national authorities, representatives from the public and private sectors, producer associations, civil society, and development actors, to validate the findings.

A diverse set of stakeholders convened in Yaoundé, Cameroon to discuss and validate the findings of the cocoa-sector living income study.

Katia Covarrubias, an Economist at FAO's Agrifood Economics and Policy Division (ESA) and a contributing author of the study, elaborated on the participatory approach, noting: “These workshops were a critical part of the research process, not only to validate and contextualize findings, but also to ensure transparency in our methods and country-level ownership of results."

She continued, "These exchanges allowed us to leverage FAO's technical expertise in the rigorous analysis of household incomes and the rural economy, nest our research in the broader sectoral challenges specific to Cameroon, and start a discussion on the policies and interventions that can drive change."

These workshops provided rich exchanges and valuable feedback on the study, which is set to be published in early 2025. 

©FAO/Beloumou Olomo Daniel.
FAO staff, farmers from Ivory Coast and Cameroon share knowledge about cocoa growing in a cocoa farm in Bianimi (Ntui), Cameroon.  

The living income study, a key action under the multistakeholder dialogue Cocoa Talks, marks a significant step toward ensuring a fair and sustainable cocoa value chain in Cameroon. By addressing income disparities and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, the study provides a crucial tool for policy development and advocacy within the cocoa sector, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future for cocoa producers in the country.