Cocoa farmers in southern Cameroon are working their way from hardship to success. With support from WWF and its partners, cooperatives like SOCOCAM COOPCA in Mintom subdivision are learning better ways to manage their farms and businesses. Through training and technical help, they are improving how they grow and sell cocoa, making sustainable cocoa farming a real possibility.

“We are proud of the changes made in our cooperative structure,” said Koa Eloundou, SOCOCAM President. “This will help us grow and generate more benefits. I’m grateful for the support from WWF and the trainers.”

SOCOCAM COOPCA, a 125-member cocoa farmers’ cooperative, has long struggled with organizational and operational challenges that limited its productivity and profitability. To address this, WWF partnered with Cos & Co, a consulting firm, to provide targeted technical assistance aimed at improving the cooperative’s internal management systems.

As part of its mission to promote sustainable cocoa production in Cameroon, WWF is helping cooperatives in the South Region boost yields, improve income, and strengthen internal governance.

This support is delivered through CANOPE, a WWF-led initiative designed to build the capacity of cocoa cooperatives. The project offers training, ongoing support, and monitoring to help cooperatives like SOCOCAM adopt best practices in management and sustainable cocoa production.

“These outcomes signify that SOCOCAM is on track to overcome its challenges and strengthen its internal structure, positioning itself for future growth and sustainability,” says Jean Paul Nlend Nkott, WWF Cameroon’s Senior Cocoa Expert.

A major milestone in the project was SOCOCAM’s general assembly, held from March 4–5, 2025 in Ekombité village in Mintom. The event, facilitated by WWF and technical partners, gathered all 125 members to review and validate key documents, including revised internal regulations, a five-year strategic plan (2025–2029), and a management procedures manual.

In a moment of celebration, members were presented with a chocolate bar made by Dutch chocolatier Crafting Markets using cocoa sourced from Mintom, a tangible symbol of the cooperative's progress.

Looking ahead, continued WWF support through CANOPE will be crucial to maintaining this momentum. WWF also plans to expand the initiative to two additional cooperatives in Mintom and Djoum, conducting institutional assessments to ensure they’re ready to implement sustainable cocoa production practices.