Trace elements such as cadmium, copper, mercury, lead, and cobalt are toxic even at low concentrations, bioaccumulating in crops and food chains, ultimately harming human and animal health.

Cocoa, a key export commodity for many developing countries, is especially affected by cadmium, which accumulates in its leaves. In South America, cadmium levels in cocoa often exceed established safety thresholds, raising health and economic concerns.

To address these risks, the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) and its technical network, the International Network on Soil Pollution (INSOP), launched a pilot project in Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil to assess trace elements pollution in cocoa, soils, and water and build the conceptual site model to identify the possible sources, pathway and receptors. As the project is due to conclude in March 2025, a two-day workshop is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and the Cocoa Research Centre to discuss and identify soil management recommendations to minimize the risks of cadmium pollution and its accumulation in cocoa and provide a practical training course to a diverse group of national stakeholders on the necessary steps that must be considered before applying remediation and mitigation practices.

Main objectives of the workshop:

• Knowledge Exchange and Dissemination | Foster regional collaboration and dialogue on managing soil pollution in cocoa-growing areas.
• Capacity Building and Training | Train stakeholders on soil pollution mitigation and remediation checklist.
• Action Plan Development | Facilitate agreement on an actionable plan to implement risk-reduction measures for cadmium pollution in cocoa production.
• Risk Mitigation and Prevention | Promote sustainable soil management to safeguard food safety, health, and economic value chains.

On 28 January, members of the INSOP from EKOS Brasil and the Nicole Foundation will lead a comprehensive training session focusing on the essential steps for addressing soil pollution. The training will cover:

• Identification of Soil Pollution: Guidance on identifying pollution and its sources.
• Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment: Methods to evaluate potential human and environmental health risks.
• Developing a Conceptual Site Model (CSM): Techniques for mapping out pollution sources, pathways, and receptors.
• Remediation Techniques: Overview of available approaches for addressing soil pollution effectively.

The training is based on the upcoming Soil Pollution Checklist, developed by INSOP members and scheduled for publication in 2025. This document serves as a practical guide for navigating the multi-step soil remediation process, providing clear recommendations for identifying, planning, and evaluating remediation efforts. This training aims to equip participants with the tools and knowledge to implement effective soil remediation strategies, ensure alignment with best practices, and support sustainable soil management.

Target audience:

The workshop targets researchers, policymakers, representatives of international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.  The workshop aims to attract and involve youth, women, and Indigenous People, along with top academics and opinion leaders.

Co-organizers: