Sustainable Tree Crops
AT KIT Royal Tropical Institute, we aim to improve the livelihoods of smallholder tree crop producers. Our work focuses on cocoa and coffee.
The Challenges Faced by Smallerholder Tree Crop Producers
Tree crops, such as cocoa and coffee, are important cash crops for millions of rural households. But most of these households are not able to earn a ‘living income’ from these crops. Productivity and production levels are low. Prices fluctuate dramatically. And the value added at producer level is limited. Moreover, tree crop farmers are faced with weak institutional environments, and the risks are high (e.g. climate change, pests and diseases, uncertain market access and seasonality of income).
Together with the Sustainable Development Goals, living income and gender are increasingly being embraced and advanced by industry actors from global value chains. But important challenges remain. For example, how can we address the many complex issues that leave many cocoa farmers in deep poverty? Or how can we put farmers and local SMEs at the centre of change, as active participants and influencers? And how can we add more value at the local level, instead of in global chains far away from the production level?
Our Approach & Expertise
Our Work in Sustainable Tree Crops
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Project
Evaluation of the IDH Cocoa Origins Program
In 2010, the Dutch Government and cocoa and chocolate sector initially committed to reach 100% sustainable cocoa consumption in the Dutch market by 2025. The Dutch Initiative for Sustainable Cocoa expanded on these ambitions in 2020.
Read more about Evaluation of the IDH Cocoa Origins Program -
Project
A living income for coffee farmers in Guji, Ethiopia
Measuring incomes and proposing interventions to close income gaps
Until 2021, there was no research available on the income levels of Guji coffee farmers, and no living income benchmark had been established.
Read more about A living income for coffee farmers in Guji, Ethiopia -
Project
EnRoute – To Reduce the Living Income Gap and Child Labour
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Project
Evaluation of the IDH-NICFI “Connecting Production, Protection & Inclusion” Landscape Programme
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Project
Gender in Coffee and Cocoa Initiative
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Project
Demystifying the Cocoa Sector in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire
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Project
Cocoa Farmer Finance in the Philippines
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Project
Improving Outreach of Cocoa Sustainability Programmes to Female Farmers in West Africa
Gender in Cocoa & Coffee Webinars
Explore our Publications
Our Services
Applied research
KIT Royal Tropical Institute addresses development challenges at local, regional and global levels through research that generates new insights and knowledge in our areas of expertise: health, sustainable economic development and gender.
Front-runner Research
We offer action research and transdisciplinary research in global value chains. In the area of Sustainable Tree Crops, KIT conducts front-runner research about income diversification strategies, inclusive value chain collaboration, farmer-centred innovation, service delivery models, sustainable landscapes, market differentiation, women and youth empowerment, and closing the living income gap. This enables KIT to arrange evidenced-based advice to public and private sector organisations looking to improve their development impact. It also underpins KIT’s international convening role—bringing together different stakeholders, facilitating knowledge exchange, and supporting collaboration and innovation for rural transformation.
Education, training and coaching
There is probably no better contribution towards sustainable development than investing in people and building capacities at all levels. KIT Royal Tropical Institute plays a major role in this by offering a range of education and capacity building services, from formal education at masters level to client-oriented training and coaching support. Our training and coaching programmes are tailor-made to address the unique objectives and capacities of the requesting organisation.
More about Education, training and coachingMonitoring, Evaluation & Impact Assessment
Monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment are powerful tools to assess health, social, and economic impact. They allow us to learn what works and why. Our expertise and track record in these areas make us well-equipped to evaluate your work.
More about Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact AssessmentPolicy & Programme Design
KIT Royal Tropical Institute operates at the intersection of theory and practice and between policy and implementation, translating good intentions into meaningful social and economic impact.
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