Despite a long tradition of cocoa cultivation in Ecuador, it is barely viable there now. This is due to the problematic cultivation methods in monocultures. These prevent the cultivation of food crops, deplete the soil, play a key role in climate change, which is primarily expressed in extreme weather events (too wet or too dry), which makes plants more susceptible to disease – leading to substantial losses of harvests. In their plight, farming families clear areas of intact rainforest. The FINCA project was launched in 2016 to counteract this alarming development. Alongside HALBA, the project involves the farmers’ organisation Unión de Organizaciones Campesinas Cacaoteras (UNOCACE), German International Development Agency (GIZ), Ecotop, South Pole and WWF Switzerland.
FINCA supports the sustainable cultivation of cocoa through dynamic agroforestry (DAF) and combines this with CO₂e offsetting measures certified to the Gold Standard. Through the cultivation of fruit trees and annual food crops, the project contributes to food security and helps the farmers minimise their risk. Currently, 554 UNOCACE cocoa farmers are tending their plots in DAF conditions. UNOCACE employs 15 agroforestry coaches and one coordinator who have received intensive training within the scope of the project and now educate other local farmers.
The project also seeks to furnish young locals in various agricultural professions (dynamic agroforestry, tree care, cocoa plant grafting, organic and fairtrade inspections, etc.) and to strengthen the local organization UNOCACE so that it can continue the project independently in the long term.
