Linking Forest Conservation with Sustainable Cocoa on Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

Cocoa Production on Bougainville

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is located northeast of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. The main island (Bougainville Island) covers a total area of approximately 8,788 square kilometres, with an estimated 332,000 hectares considered suitable for agriculture.

The region is currently one of the leading cocoa producers in PNG, and in the 1980s, it produced more cocoa than any other province. With copra and vanilla, cocoa is the backbone of Bougainville's rural economy, continuing to provide critical income for thousands of households. Recent data indicates that 87 per cent of the population of Bougainville is engaged in agriculture (Chand, Duncan, and Levantis 2021).

The revenue generated from cocoa production is vital to the functioning of the economy and ensures cash flow to support other businesses. This economic reliance on cocoa has fostered a deep-rooted connection and respect for the crop among the people of Bougainville. Since its introduction by German settlers in the late 1800s, cocoa has not only provided economic benefits to farmers but has also acquired immense social and cultural values within the farming communities.

According to current data, Bougainville produces between 13,000 and 20,000 metric tons of cocoa annually, all produced through small-holder cocoa farms. These farms, operated by over 23,000 farmers according to official records, play a crucial role in the region's cocoa industry. With various cocoa support programs by the Australian Government, the World Bank, and others, the number of farmers is expected to have increased, further contributing to Bougainville's cocoa production.

Reference
[1]Chand, S; Duncan, R; Levantis, T, (2021). Increasing Revenues for the Bougainville Government, The National Research Institute

Soraken Cooperative: A farmers' cocoa Co-op focused on ecological sustainability

Cocoa farming is a significant agricultural activity on the northwest coast of Bougainville. Ecological sustainability is the driving force, so the community of over 300 farmers formed a legally registered entity known as the Soraken Cooperative. The main objective of the Cooperative is to ensure that the economic drivers and benefits of cocoa production do not undermine the ecological integrity of their natural environment. They achieve this through a variety of measures, such as sustainable farming practices, reforestation efforts, and biodiversity conservation. These actions are aimed at maintaining the ecosystem services that have sustained the community.

Bougainville is being impacted by climate change, having experienced one of their atoll community on the Carteret Islands removed from the “sinking islands” as the world’s first climate refugees. The Carteret people had to be resettled in the mainland of Bougainville where they have no cultural connections and limited land access for their sustenance. The implications of climate induced migration on social structures, resource management, and infrastructure are extensive, especially on Bougainville where the economy is based on a “subsistence economy”. This term refers to an economy where the majority of the population’s livelihood is based on producing their own food and other necessities, rather than engaging in trade or industrial production. In this context, the Soraken Cooperative's focus on sustainable cocoa farming is crucial, as it provides a sustainable source of income for the community.

Against this backdrop, the Soraken Cooperative is focusing on “Sustainable Cocoa” as the source of its livelihoods. In addition to cocoa production, members of the cooperative are pursuing the conservation of 400,000 hectares of tropical rainforest through the Kunua Conservation Network. We present more details on the Kunua Conservation Network iin the next chapter.

Kunua Conservation Network: connecting community, science and economy to drive sustainability

The Kunua Conservation Network is a local initiative managed by six Local Level Governments (Wards) within the Kunua District. Representatives from these LLGs form the governing body under the umbrella of the Kunua Management Committee. The role of the Committee is to ensure local laws governing the management of the conservation area are established and enforced and provide the leadership to ensure KCN achieves their vision, that is;

“To be Bougainville’s leading conservation network in protecting the natural environment, preserving the cultural and linguistic diversity, upholding peace and unity, empowering indigenous people, promoting sustainable livelihoods, encouraging research, and addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges for the current and future generations.” This vision underscores the significant role that KCN plays in the sustainable development of the region.

The conservation area is covered by dense tropical rainforest up to 1,220m (4000ft), bamboo and moss forest between 1,220m and 2,290m (4000ft to 7,500ft), and alpine rush vegetation above 2,290m. It also has a number of atoll outliers that could support a ‘reef to ridge’ conservation plan in the near future.

The rich biological and cultural diversity of Kunua District is still poorly known in Bougainville. However, in the last few years, Junior Novera, a native of Kunua, has been conducting groundbreaking biodiversity surveys and ecological research in the district and Bougainville. His research, conducted towards his doctorate degree at the University of Queensland in Australia with scholarship support from the Australia Awards-PNG and fieldwork funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), has generated crucial datasets. These datasets are instrumental in understanding the current status of biodiversity, levels of threats to biodiversity, local knowledge on native flora and fauna, and raising awareness on the biological and cultural importance of Kunua Plains.

SORAKEN SUSTAINABILITY COCOA PROJECT FRAMEWORK

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Soraken Sustainability Cocoa Project is an initiative that brings together the Soraken Cooperative and the Kunua Conservation Network. Its main goal is to promote sustainable cocoa farming practices while protecting Bougainville's natural environment. This project is focused on producing cocoa and creating a sustainable development model that prioritizes the well-being of the community and the environment. It is a unique and innovative project that aims to set a positive example for others.

2. Objectives

The Soraken Sustainability Cocoa Project has several objectives, including:
• Promoting sustainable cocoa farming practices among the 300+ farmers in the Soraken Cooperative.
• Preserving and expanding the 400,000 hectares of tropical rainforest through the Kunua Conservation Network.
• Upholding cultural and linguistic diversity, peace, and unity within the community.
• Empowering indigenous people and promoting sustainable livelihoods through cocoa production and conservation efforts.
• Conducting research to address environmental and socio-economic challenges for current and future generations, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

3. The project has three key activities:

3.1. Sustainable Cocoa Farming

The cooperative will implement the following activities to achieve the objectives of the project:

• Provide farmers with training and capacity-building programs on sustainable cocoa farming practices, including agroforestry and soil conservation methods.
• Establish demonstration plots to showcase best practices in sustainable cocoa farming and encourage adoption among farmers.
• Implement a certification program to recognize and reward farmers who adhere to sustainable farming standards, enhancing market access and premium pricing opportunities.

3.2. Kunua Conservation Network

The conservation efforts under the Kunua Conservation Network will focus on the following activities:

• Collaborate with the Kunua Management Committee to develop and enforce local laws governing the conservation area, ensuring effective management and protection of the biodiversity-rich ecosystem.
• Conduct biodiversity assessments and ecological surveys to monitor the health of the conservation area and implement targeted conservation strategies.
• Engage in community outreach and education programs to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management practices.

3.3. Integration of Cocoa Farming and Conservation

To maximize the synergies between cocoa farming and conservation efforts, the project will undertake the following activities:

• Explore innovative approaches to integrating cocoa farming with conservation objectives, such as shade-grown cocoa cultivation to preserve biodiversity.
• Identify opportunities for eco-tourism initiatives that leverage the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region to generate additional income for the community.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and exchange between farmers, conservationists, and researchers to promote a holistic approach to sustainable development.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

A vital component of the project's success will be the active engagement of diverse stakeholders, each of whom has a unique opportunity to contribute to the project's success. This includes:

• Local farmers and members of the Soraken Cooperative are integral to implementing sustainable cocoa farming practices.
• Community leaders, government agencies, and non-profit organizations who play a crucial role in providing support and resources for project activities.
• International partners and donors who can contribute funding and technical expertise to scale up project interventions and maximize impact.
• Research institutions and academia that can provide valuable insights and data to inform evidence-based decision-making and monitoring and evaluation efforts.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

The project will establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress towards project objectives and outcomes, including:

• Developing key performance indicators to measure the impact of project activities on ecological sustainability, community livelihoods, and conservation outcomes.
• Conduct regular assessments and surveys to gather data on project progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Soliciting stakeholder feedback through participatory mechanisms to ensure project effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability.

6. Sustainability and Scalability

To ensure the long-term sustainability and scalability of the project, the following strategies will be implemented:

• Developing a comprehensive sustainability plan that outlines strategies for maintaining project activities beyond the initial funding period, including revenue-generating mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives.
• By investing in knowledge sharing and capacity building, the project aims to not only empower local communities but also inspire similar initiatives in other regions of Bougainville and beyond, leveraging lessons learned and best practices from the project.
• Investing in knowledge sharing and capacity building to empower local communities to continue conservation efforts independently, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

The Soraken Sustainability Cocoa Project represents a pioneering effort to address the complex challenges of economic development, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation in Bougainville. By fostering collaboration between the Soraken Cooperative and the Kunua Conservation Network, the project aims to create a sustainable livelihood model that respects and protects the natural environment while enhancing the well-being of local communities. Through a holistic approach that integrates cocoa farming with conservation efforts, the project aspires to set a new standard for sustainable development that prioritizes the health of the ecosystem and the prosperity of future generations.