13 May 2014: Through a joint project with the private sector, Bioversity International has developed a comprehensive database and biodiversity assessment and training tools to support the conservation and sustainable use of cocoa biodiversity in Ghana. Ghana is the third largest exporter of cocoa in the world.

Developed in collaboration with Armajaro Trading Ltd., a global agri-commodities supply chain manager in cocoa and coffee, and GeoTraceability Ltd., a supplier of traceability technology and management, the database provides information about the biodiversity status of cocoa farms in Ghana. It allows for users to track changes in the biodiversity landscape of cocoa farmers, which can inform policy making, program design and the development of training modules for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

Using the database, Bioversity International and Armajaro Ltd. have created training modules on tree nursery management, proper tree maintenance, tree ownership laws, community resource mapping and landscape diversity. The training will be implemented for more than 65,000 Ghanaian farmers.

Bioversity International contributed to the project under its Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources and the Global Network for Cacao Genetic Resources (CacaoNet), which aim to optimize the conservation and use of cocoa genetic resources through coordinating and enhancing research efforts in a global network of public and private sector stakeholders.

The project was funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Bioversity International is a part of the CGIAR consortium. [Bioversity International Press Release][IFC Press Release][CacaoNet Website][Publication: Biodiversity Training Materials]