Cocoa has traditionally been grown in rainforest areas where logging activities have already cleared the land (Click for a larger image)

Introduction

Focus On... looks at two major case studies which illustrate sustainable development in two parts of Africa. Cocoa farming in West Africa is featured at as an example of the development of sustainable agriculture. 11 million people in this region depend on cocoa production for their livelihood - production which takes place mainly on small farms. Developing sustainable cocoa production is vital if ever increasing levels of demand and production are not going to result in further damage to the environment through e.g. deforestation and soil erosion.

"The cocoa and chocolate industry is important to the livelihoods of many people and to economic growth and sustainable development in many countries.. With the global population set to double in the next century and economic growth, the demand for commodities will increase. The inevitable challenge is - can we meet these growing demands without further degrading the life support systems of the planet and succeed in eliminating poverty? This is what we mean by sustainable development". George Foulkes MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DFID, Keynote address on Commodities, Cocoa and Poverty Elimination, September 1998

The first Cocoa case study looks at Cameroon where cocoa is now planted within the layers of the rainforest, creating a system known as agroforestry. In the second Cocoa case study, the Cote d'Ivoire, legume trees are planted to protect and shade the cocoa trees, provide biological pest control and allow a greater diversity of plants, crops, insects and animals to flourish. Companies are also beginning to buy cocoa directly from local growers and co-operatives, resulting in increased income for smallholder farmers.

"There is an increasing consensus that the future of cocoa production lies with sustainable smallholder agriculture. Using biological methods for controlling pests and diseases, and integrated pest management practices, as opposed to over-reliance on chemical sprays can improve profitability and the quality of the product." George Foulkes MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DFID, Keynote address on Commodities, Cocoa and Poverty Elimination. September 1998

Finally we look at the work of CAMPFIRE in Zimbabwe. CAMPFIRE (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) began in Zimbabwe in the 1980s. It concentrates on persuading local people to view wildlife as a resource, not as a threat to them, their crops and livestock. Much of the semi-arid land of N. Zimbabwe is infertile and grazing is poor - yet it is suitable for a range of wildlife. CAMPFIRE encourages people in rural villages to look after the wildlife in their area, raising money by selling hunting quotas to professional hunters and safari companies.

The money raised can then be used to build schools, clinics and other community facilities; drill wells; build fences and roads and help buy food in times of drought. CAMPFIRE projects help villages manage their environment in ways which are seen as both appropriate and sustainable. This approach would not be suitable everywhere; conservation measures in Zimbabwe have led to a massive increase in numbers of elephants in particular. It is estimated that the current total of 64,000 elephants is double the number that the land can sustainably support.