The Sankofa 2.0 Project is a large-scale initiative aimed at transforming cocoa farming in Ghana through Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF), a sustainable approach that integrates cocoa cultivation with diverse tree and crop species. This method enhances soil fertility, biodiversity, and climate resilience, while also improving farmer incomes and food security.
The name Sankofa comes from the Akan language of Ghana, meaning “go back and get it.” It reflects the project’s philosophy of learning from traditional, nature-based farming systems to build a more sustainable future for cocoa production. By restoring agroforestry practices that mimic natural forest ecosystems, Sankofa 2.0 helps farmers increase their resilience to climate change, improve productivity, and enhance long-term soil health.
Building on the success of its first phase, Sankofa 2.0 expands Dynamic Agroforestry systems across 1,100 hectares, directly benefiting 3,500 farming households.
The objectives of this project are:
The Sankofa 2.0 Project is pioneering the integration of Dynamic Agroforestry (DAF) into Ghana’s cocoa farming practices, offering a transformative approach to sustainable agriculture. By combining cocoa cultivation with a diverse array of trees and crops, DAF enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and increases farmers’ resilience to climate change.
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has recognized the potential of DAF to revitalize cocoa farming. COCOBOD’s Chief Executive, Hon. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, emphasized the importance of disseminating DAF techniques to farmers nationwide, particularly to restore lands degraded by the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD). He stated:
“DAF is a good technique which must be disseminated to the farmers so that as many farmers as possible will adopt it, especially as we look to restore a lot of our farmlands which have been affected by the CSSVD” (COCOBOD, 2024).
In support of this initiative, the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) has established a two-hectare DAF research plot to conduct a comparative study between conventional cocoa monocultures and DAF systems. This research aims to identify the most suitable DAF models for Ghanaian farmers, focusing on:
By promoting DAF-based cocoa production, Sankofa 2.0 aligns with COCOBOD’s vision for a more resilient and productive cocoa sector. The collaborative efforts between Sankofa 2.0, COCOBOD, and CRIG underscore a shared commitment to transforming cocoa agriculture through scientifically proven, ecologically sound practices.
