Moving Forward with REDD+ in Ghana: Shade Systems, Crown Cover, Carbon Stocks and Socio-Economic Dynamics of Smallholder Cocoa Agroforestry Systems

Summary

The role of shaded-cocoa systems for climate change mitigation and adaptation has gained considerable importance lately following the realisation of the ability of these systems to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and store the carbon (C) in shade and cocoa (Theobroma cacao) trees and soil compared to other agricultural practices. Cocoa is one of the most widely cultivated tree crops in tropical Africa, extending to over five million ha in West and Central Africa.

SNV funded research examining the impact existing forest canopy and forest tree diversity could have on agricultural crops, such as cocoa. In Ghana the objectives of this study were to quantify the baseline carbon stocks in different smallholder cocoa farming systems, identify land and tree tenure challenges, assess farmers’ perceptions of trees in cocoa farms and assess the feasibility of implementing REDD+ interventions in cocoa landscapes. This document presents the approach of this study and the findings and outcomes which have been surveyed in Ghana.