AMEA Environmental Working Group

Environmental Dialogue Series

Webinar Recap

Overview & Purpose

This inaugural session in AMEA’s Environmental Webinar Series focused on how professional farmer organizations (FOs), agri-SMEs, and BDS providers can engage in carbon markets, regenerative agriculture, and agroforestry to drive environmental and economic resilience in Africa. The session highlighted lessons from Ghana and other African landscapes.

The webinar featured several moments worth highlighting for future dissemination and learning:

Opening remarks by Casey Harrison set the tone for strategic discussion on de-risking finance and improving resilience.

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Featured Presentations

Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program (GCFRP)

Presenter: James Parker, Proforest

James Parker’s presentation on the GCFRP offered critical insights into how regenerative cocoa systems can deliver measurable environmental and income benefits.

Worked with ~20,000 farmers in the Asunafo-Asutifi landscape to scale dynamic agroforestry and regenerative cocoa practices
Yield increased from 400 → 600 kg/ha since 2019
Carbon reductions worth USD 50M over 7 years
USD 4.5M disbursed to the landscape, with all cocoa farms mapped and registered
Challenges included weak data systems, governance gaps, farmer resistance, and shifting private sector interest due to EUDR.

Visit Proforest →

Agroforestry and Nature-Based Solutions in Africal Landscapes

Presenters: Matthew Aghai and Arnoud de Villages, Viridian Ecosystems

Viridian’s segment illustrated the operationalization of nature-based solutions in African agro-ecosystems using blended finance.

Focused on African contexts such as Ghana, Uganda, and East Africa
Approach: regenerating land, livelihoods, and legacy through agroforestry and reforestation
Restoration model includes: local feasibility, financial viability, project design, and local implementation
Emphasized trusted partnerships, farmer incentives, and catalytic capital as key enablers.

Visit Viridian Ecosystems →

Questions Raised by Participants

Amy Warren – Alignment with EUDR/ARS-1000 and traceability training for cooperatives.
Margaret Anderson – How to overcome reluctance in adopting regenerative/agroforestry practices.
Mark Blackett – Why only $19.5M of $37.5M was shared; cost breakdown for farmers?
Lord Ameyaw – Compatibility of approaches with cocoa varieties requiring full sun.
Tekeba Neba – Premium pricing for regenerative cocoa; cost-benefit analysis and action research validation.

Discussion Takeaways

ISO 18716 could serve as a gateway to nature-based finance, not a burden.
Demonstration farms and consistent TA help overcome ‘practice fatigue’.
Emphasis on action research and local partnerships for long-term adoption.
Data sharing and income impact tracking need to be prioritized.

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