encouraging sustainable, responsible cocoa growing

Entry: Bill Guyton

Earlier this week, I participated in an interesting symposium on "Climate Change and Food Security in Africa", hosted by the Howard University Law School, World Food Law Institute. www.law.howard.edu/worldfoodlaw/.

Presentations focused on the challenges and potential solutions to climate change in Africa. Of particular interest to me was a speech given by Professor Gregory Jenkins, Howard University Physics and Astronomy Department. The complete presentation is in the information center of our website.

In the afternoon, I joined Ghana Ambassador Bawuah-Edusei and Mr. Onaolapo of Shell Petrolium on a panel discussion entitled "Technology Transfer and Infrastructure."

Cocoa is a very sensitve crop, growing in a narrow band 15-20 degrees north and south of the equator. Therefore, those involved in cocoa farming, marketing and manufacturing understand the importance of protecting the environment and biodiversity where cocoa grows. Public-private partnerships, such as the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) which is supported by USAID, World Cocoa Foundation, and others helps small scale cocoa farmers diverisfy tree crops and protect the environment. This is important, but more efforts are needed to conserve biodiversity and the fragile tropical environments so that cocoa can continue to flourish.