This testimonial is part of the ETA’s ‘Cocoa Farmer Stories’ collection with farmers from the Bono region in Ghana. In contribution to our advocacy campaign “Equal Trade Chocolate Tastes Better” the Equal Trade team in Ghana visited Atroni – a town close to Sunyani, Ghana – to speak with cocoa farmers to share their real-life circumstances. The aim of this project is to create awareness among the general public about the living circumstances of cocoa farmers, add credibility to and legitimize the mission of the ETA and our campaign.
We sit with Frank in front of his house, which is tucked by the roadside in Atronie. Before Frank started his work as cocoa farmer, he was an electrician. But because of low demand, Frank decided to move to Atronie, and start a new life as a cocoa farmer. We were curious to hear about regularities in the daily life of an electrician that became a cocoa farmer.
The Uncertainty that comes with Cocoa Farming
“As with everything, the beginning was the hardest. Especially because there was no one here to guide me so I had to learn everything through trial and error. Over time, I got the hang of it and started to understand the rhythms of cocoa farming. However, dealing with nature is never predictable. After two years of nurturing my cocoa plants, many of them just shrivelled in the heat.. Farming is hard work, you need to dedicate all your time to growing your plants. And when after two years your hard work starts to shrink in front of your eyes it’s painful.. I have had moments where I wondered if getting into farming was a mistake” Frank says.
As Frank talks, we can see how he is resilient, but we also realize that the challenges he dealt with at the beginning of his farming career, he’s still facing now, all affecting his financial income. “Even when the price of cocoa goes up, it’s not enough. It’s rare, happening only every two years, and by then, the cost of living has already eaten up any gains.The big commercial farmers are the ones who see real profit. For small farmers like me, it’s a constant struggle to break even.”
Benefiting Farmers and the Nation with Equal Trade
When we speak with Frank about the Equal Trade Alliance and our mission, Frank remains sceptical. “How can an initiative like this help us if the government controls the cocoa trade?” he asks. It’s a valid concern, given that cocoa trade is largely managed by the government. With the implementation of the equal trade government, the Ghanaian government would indeed receive more money via trade of raw materials such as cocoa. Which is needed, as the current income of sub-saharan national governments is simply not enough to manage and govern their nations, leading to results such as corruption, migration, and underdevelopment. The equal trade alliance aims to establish a wealth fund through which the generated profits are equally divided among stakeholders in the value chain. Benefitting both the nation, producers, and farmers income.
“Helping farmers earn more, that’s good news,” Frank replies, nodding thoughtfully. He begins to talk more freely about the challenges they face: “the unpredictable rains, the cocoa-related diseases, and the impact of climate change. We lost so many crops because of this. Climate change is really affecting us, before we knew that in the rainy season it would rain, now it’s unpredictable.”
Before we part ways, Frank speaks about his hopes for the future. “If this initiative helps us, we’ll be able to take care of ourselves and even hire more people to work on our farms. It’s not just about surviving, it’s about creating opportunities for others too.“
Frank’s story reflects the resilience of many small-scale farmers who face challenges but continue to cultivate, grow, and yield the cocoa beans to make the chocolate which is so widely praised in many countries across the globe. It’s also a call for change and support for equal trade practices that can transform the cocoa industry. As we stand to leave, Frank’s quiet optimism stays with us, and strengthens our dedication to advocate for equal trade practices to help more farmers like him to finally see their hard work rewarded.
The gap between farmers and chocolate companies is stark. How can the industry generate billions annually while farmers like Frank barely make enough to meet their basic needs, send their children to school, or invest in sustainable farming products? How many more years is it going to take to realize that we – as the consumers – might play a larger part of the problem than we believe? Advocate for change, advocate for Equal Trade.
The Equal Trade Alliance Certificate offers a solution. Join the Equal Trade Alliance, share your farmer story using the #equaltradecocoa and follow our socials.
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