“And where is the tree graveyard?”
The question comes up spontaneously during field missions on Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). And there it is: behind the kitchen of a small village cocoa plantation, is a small forest of unused seedlings — well-intentioned past projects contributions — left unused, unplanted and largely forgotten.
This quiet scene reflects a wider challenge: Despite strong commitments to agroforestry, many interventions remain fragmented or insufficiently adapted to farmers’ realities and priorities. Highlighting the persistent challenge of turning good intentions into lasting impact
Agroforestry — essential for sustainability, yet complex to implement
Agroforestry is key to sustainable cocoa production. Trees boost soil fertility, enhance climate resilience, support biodiversity and diversify incomes. Yet implementation remains a challenge. “Tree graveyards” highlight the need for stronger coordination, practical knowledge and approaches that genuinely respond to conditions on the ground. Tree low survival rates often result from labour costs, unsuitable species choices and limited maintenance capacity. With many actors working in parallel, efforts risk remaining disconnected, unless coordination and practical, locally adapted approaches are strengthened..
Coordinating action: The National Agroforestry Platform
The EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme — implemented by GIZ, FAO, JRC and EFI — aims to support the transition to sustainable, inclusive, profitable, traceable and deforestation-free cocoa farming in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon, in line with national priorities and European Union policies. In Cote d’Ivoire, the programme focuses on making agroforestry work on the ground. For example, GIZ and FAO support the Conseil du Café Cacao with its National Platform for the Coordination of Agroforestry Initiatives in the coffee-cocoa sector who will have its plenary session of 2026 on 25/26 of February.
The Platform addresses fragmentation, strengthens collaboration and promotes collective learning among stakeholders, such as government institutions, development partners, private companies, civil society organisations and producer groups. By organizing regular meetings on national level it provides a space to exchange experiences, harmonise approaches and build a shared vision for agroforestry in the country. The platform is also planning to develop a digital tool to improve project information and increase collaboration potential.
Key milestones were reached in 2025 with the launch of the plenary Platform in Abidjan in March, followed by the establishment of regional branches in November. Through its facilitation role, the Platform contributes to transforming isolated projects into a coherent, collaborative movement that supports sustainable cocoa landscapes.
Evidence to guide decisions
Effective coordination requires solid data and evidence. FAO has supported the Conseil du Café Cacao in developing a national inventory of agroforestry projects and different approaches to promoting agroforestry in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as a catalogue of cocoa-compatible shade tree species, which will inform the revision of the African Standard for Sustainable Cocoa (ARS1000) recommended species list. At the same time, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) collects high-frequency data to better understand labour costs and the economic viability of agroforestry systems, providing a realistic business case for farmers
Practical solutions on the ground
Innovative field approaches complement coordination and research. GIZ and the Conseil du Café-Cacao want to collaborate in the development and implementation of trainings to test upscaling Assisted Natural Regeneration. With this type of regeneration farmers can manage naturally occurring tree regrowth rather than relying solely on new seedlings. This approach reduces costs, increases survival rates and strengthens farmer ownership — helping prevent future “tree graveyards.”
Moving forward together
Transforming agroforestry requires more than planting trees — it requires coordination, practical knowledge and solutions rooted in farmers’ realities. Through support to the National Agroforestry Platform and innovative field approaches, the EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme contributes to a more coherent transition toward sustainable cocoa systems. The upcoming annual plenary session of the Platform offers another opportunity for stakeholders to exchange lessons and advance a shared vision for agroforestry that truly works on the ground.
