Climate change and viruses

How the fight against the global cocoa crisis is going

The cocoa fruits must be harvested by hand.

(Bild: Nipah Dennis/FAIRTRADE Austria/Fairpicture)

The cocoa harvest in Ghana is characterized by manual work, traditional methods and the challenges of a changing environment. While the world market price is skyrocketing, farmers want better and more transparent payment. At the same time, many are considering sacrificing their fertile land to illegal gold mining.

The grip on the machete is firm, the stroke well aimed and the first cocoa fruit falls to the ground. Benjamin Akane is a farmer in the Ahafo region and finances his life by selling cocoa beans. Unlike coffee, the bright yellow fruits have to be harvested by hand. Traditional methods are also used for drying.