Growing Cacao Ethically.
The world’s desire for chocolate is forecasted to grow by nearly $20 billion USD over the next five years. To meet this rising global demand for chocolate, pristine forests and grasslands are being cleared to make way for monoculture cacao farms.
Cacao farming is one of the leading causes of deforestation in many parts of West Africa and South America. In 2017, The Guardian reported that 80% of rainforest cover in the Ivory Coast has disappeared, largely due to cacao farming.
Monoculture
Monoculture is the cultivation of only cacao trees on a piece of land. In the short term, monocultures have been found to produce up to 40% higher yields, however, this unsustainable farming method quickly causes the soil to degrade, lose its nutrients and dry up. Therefore, to maximize the short-term profitability, more forests are cleared to make way for more monoculture cacao.
This single focused method is a major cause of deforestation, soil erosion and biodiversity loss which makes the cacao trees very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as well as things like pests, diseases, and other environmental catastrophe.
This style of farming is hugely unsustainable over the long-term for small-holder farmers especially those who are growing heirloom strains.
Agroforestry
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) define agroforestry as: “A dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.
Agroforestry is an ancient farming technique that is fortunately making a comeback. This farming method has demonstrated that it can benefit the environment as well as provide multiple economic and social benefits.
Agroforestry is the cultivation of trees, shrubs and other crops alongside each other, as opposed to the production of one single crop (monoculture)
Many environmentally-conscious chocolate makers already source their beans from farms or cooperatives that utilize cacao agroforests. Monoculture cacao is a result of chocolate brands who prioritize short-term profit over long-term sustainability (many of the chocolate companies in the world would fall into this category)
Agroforestry is not only ensuring the sustainability of environmental aspects, but also making sure it meets the needs of social and environmental aspects of local communities.
With intensive farming and forestry, humans have grown accustomed to putting economic interests before those of nature. The planet is suffering as a result. Local populations are suffering. Biodiversity is in decline. Sustainable agroforestry takes the opposite approach, putting people’s interests and sustainable farming first.”
The research on agroforestry and its benefits on biodiversity are plentiful. Not only does agroforestry reduce the rate of conversion of natural habitats into agricultural land, it has also proven to provide a habitat for species on dedicated farmland. it provides a connected landscape for species, as opposed to fragmented ecosystems.
Agroforestry mimics natural forests, they provide ecosystem services such as protection against soil erosion, water conservation, and natural pest and disease management, therefore preventing the loss of the habitat and instead allowing biodiversity of flora and fauna to flourish.
The problem is, Fair Trade and Organic certifications do not even attempt to address agroforestry…
Though International non-profit organization, Rainforest Alliance, does address agroforestry, it has not monitored and enforced strict implementation of their own stated agroforestry goals, such that much of the cacao certified by them is, in fact, often not true agroforestry even when requirements and definitions are adequate. We have a LONG way to go to help this sacred tree thrive in preservation, restoration, and sustainability.
Respect for our fellow humans
Besides the Cacao tree, we also have a responsibility to look after the humans who are growing and harvesting the cacao we consume.
Slavery and violence (farmers see little to no money) is at the heart of many commercially farmed cacao plantations. Some farmers are forced to work and not reimbursed for their work. Sometimes with little or no food or water. Many are child slaves. In many cases, murder and violence are at the base of this industry. For more info watch Rotten
Purchasing ethically
Fair trade: Dictionary defines “trade between companies in developed countries and producers in developing countries in which fair prices are paid to the producers.” This is a very vague statement for a very complicated topic. While fair trade has provided some awareness to the masses where injustice still exists and needs to be corrected, it still has a long way to go. Often times the fair trade market is beneficial to the larger plantations but the small farms suffer and don’t get much. It often is unethical disbursement of profits.
Direct trade is always best.
Direct trade: This is trade that is done directly by the farmers and processors to the seller. A direct relationship is built on trust and transparency to be mutually beneficial to both parties while holding high ethical standards and quality product. It pays higher premiums to farmers than what is fair trade mandated
