Cocoa farmers struggle to maintain yield while managing deforestation and climate stress

Cocoa farmers in Côte d'Ivoire face declining productivity due to sun exposure, soil degradation, and climate volatility, forcing them to clear more forest to maintain income. Current farming practices lack integrated shade management solutions, leaving farmers choosing between environmental destruction and economic survival. Shade tree implementation requires knowledge, upfront investment, and long-term planning that smallholder farmers cannot easily access or afford.