STORY: Every day, Pascal Mani patrols his cocoa farm in central Cameroon armed with a machete.
Rising cocoa prices driven by global production shortfalls have led to increased thefts of the commodity in the country.
Fear of thieves keeps him and other farmers awake most nights.
“Early in the morning, I get up and go round. Before bed, I go round again. I often send my workers too (…) We try to keep strangers away from our plantations.”
In the world’s top growers, Ivory Coast and Ghana, beans are sold at a fixed price regulated by authorities.
But in Cameroon farmers get a higher price related to the global market.
Adverse weather conditions and plant diseases in Ivory Coast and Ghana have reduced global supply and therefore driven up prices in Cameroon.
And that makes cocoa a lucrative target for thieves.
Farmers have been left fearing for their safety.
“For us, the word theft has become a catchphrase, it comes up all the time, we can never go a whole day without hearing about theft, because it affects all farmers.”
And the threat is real.
Last season, according to one police officer speaking on a condition of anonymity, two cocoa farmers were killed by their employees and their beans stolen.
In response to the escalating theft, farmers, local authorities and buyers are now implementing measures to secure crops and supply chains.
That includes refusing to buy from unregistered farmers and children.
But some farmers have also taken matters into their own hands.
Vigilante groups have been formed – armed with whistles, reflective jackets, machetes and spears.
Others, meanwhile, have resorted to planting amulets on their farms – hoping to cast a spell on whoever tries to steal their cocoa.
Source Agencies
