FAO Supports the government of Cameroon in using AI and satellite imagery to produce cocoa map under the sustainable cocoa programme

As the world’s fifth-largest cocoa producer, Cameroon is reinforcing its strategic position by launching an ambitious national mapping of its cocoa plantations. This initiative is part of the EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme (SCP), funded by the European Union and implemented by technical partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS), in 2020, cocoa accounted for 12% of the country’s exports and contributed 8.2% to the agricultural GDP. The National Development Strategy Document 2020–2030 sets a clear goal: to increase production to 1.2 million tons by 2030, representing approximately 6% of the global market.

Committed to strengthening the sustainability of supply chains, the European Union has initiated a multi-stakeholder dialogue with producing countries to promote responsible agricultural practices. Cameroon, initially an observer, is now fully engaged in this process.

Technology serving the environment and focused on sustainability

The project Cartography of cocoa in Cameroon and characterization of its impact on forests leverages artificial intelligence and satellite data to identify production areas and assess the effects of cocoa cultivation on forest ecosystems. The European service “Copernicus4GEOGLAM” has been activated to provide an independent assessment, integrating very high-resolution imagery and field data.

As part of this activity, FAO organized a workshop on 16 to 18 July 2025 in Ebolowa, bringing together 50 participants made up of technical experts, ministerial representatives, and institutional partners around a common goal: strengthening local capacities in the use of artificial intelligence tools for natural resource management.

At the heart of the discussions, participants were trained in the use of innovative platforms such as SEPAL (System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing and Analysis for Land Monitoring), GEE (Google Earth Engine) and Satellite image embedding analysis—powerful tools for processing and analyzing spatial data. These technologies enable the generation of accurate maps from satellite images and field data.

The workshop also served to validate the data collected in the field, particularly those related to the mapping of cocoa plantations. Participants explored the foundational models used for analysis, sampling plans for rigorous data collection, and techniques for validating the produced maps.

Toward sustainable cocoa production

Ultimately, this technical workshop is part of a broader effort to transfer skills and strengthen national capacities, with the aim of promoting informed decision-making in environmental and agricultural management. Through this initiative, Cameroon reinforces its commitment to sustainable cocoa production, balancing economic development, social responsibility, and forest preservation.