Soubré is the largest cocoa-producing region in Côte d’Ivoire. In the past, about 40% of the country's cocoa production was cultivated in the region. Due to the aging plantations and the swollen shoot virus, there has been a significant decrease in cocoa production. The region has several protected areas threatened by agriculture, including Tai National Park in the west, Niégré Forest Reserve in the southeast, Rapid Grah Forest Reserve in the north and south, and Mont Kourabahi Forest Reserve. Due to poverty, these forests are threatened by cocoa farmers, who rely on the land for income.

Agriculture in the region is heavily dependent on small-scale farmers, who struggle with low productivity due to farming practices. Finding a balance between providing livelihoods for farmers and reducing pressure on forests is the main focus of our work in Soubré. We work in collaboration with a growing number of local and national stakeholders. The pillars of our work are smallholder resilience, regenerative agriculture, and the restoration and maintenance of degraded forests.

• Collaboration with 8 cooperatives and communities to reduce deforestation and restore forests 
• Maintenance and monitoring of a 73-hectare area by a community in Kossou 
• Completed preliminary HCS (High Carbon Stock) and HCV (High Conservation Values) studies around the Monts Kourabahi Forest Reserve to identify areas for conservation.

• 4956 farmers engaged through best farm management, diversification 
•  966 women involved in supporting access to finance through VSLA and developing income-generating activities 

• Implemented and supported an agroforestry system on 77 ha of cocoa farm outside the forest reserve. 
• Designing models focused on regenerative practices (biochar, compost, green fertilizer, mulching)