Supporting Implementation of Best Management Practices in Smallholder Plantations

This project aims to stimulate and catalyze a process for key actors of smallholder plantations within the Forest Reserves of South-eastern Côte d’Ivoire and South-western Ghana (SW CDI SE GH) conservation corridor around Cape Three Points to work together towards achieving agricultural sustainability by incorporating biodiversity conservation in their management practices. The project will use a Smallholder-Private-Public Joint Participation, Collaboration and Contribution (PCC) Biodiversity Conservation Project model. This model will bring together related government agencies in the Ahanta West District Assembly namely: Ministry of Food and Agriculture – MOFA, Environmental Protection Agency – EPA; the two large rubber and oil palm companies NORPALM and GREL respectively and at least 10 of their smallholder out-grower plantation farmers. These key actors will work together to support smallholder out-growers to implement best management practices which avoid or minimise negative impacts on biodiversity and restores damaged ecosystems in their plantations. The results of the project are expected to inspire and inform smallholder out-grower practices and out-grower policies of these two companies. This is also to inform local government bye-laws at least related to smallholder plantations and biodiversity conservation.