Cacao Agroforestry Management
Learn how to design and manage cacao based systems, and get connected with employers
Chocolate is booming. The world’s desire for chocolate is forecasted to grow by nearly USD 20 billion over the next five years. To meet this rising global demand for chocolate, pristine forests and grasslands are being cleared to make way for monoculture cacao farms, there is a better way.
We are training students to design, implement and manage diverse & productive agroforestry farms with a focus on cacao production.
If your a land owner and want to develop your own farm or if you are interested in working for a land owner who desires to implement a cacao agrogforestry farm, this is the course for you!
In this 4 day immersion course we will guide you in learning the core skills required to manage a successful farm from design through harvest. Learn about soil building, species selection, cacao grafting, pruning, pest control and more!
In addition we are already working with employers who are looking to hire graduates of this program.
Our instructors include Stephanie Syson and Juan Echevarria of Jean Marie Chocolate
Why agroforestry for cacao?
Agroforestry has been gaining popularity in the US and in Europe in the agricultural sectors. Its practice goes back hundreds of years in many parts of Central and South America. It’s now making a comeback in cacao farming as farmers recognise they must protect their land in order to mitigate their risks.
According to recent reports, cacao could disappear within the next 40 years, due to the unsustainable practices of monocultures.