How OKO Forest leverages carbon finance to restore degraded farmland and introduce pensions, savings and loans to rural smallholders
Project
Agroforestry, biochar
Country
Ghana
Land status
privately-owned and managed
OKO Forests are establishing a community managed landscape governance structure, bringing key stakeholders who live in Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve's (KSNR) vicinity. An important component being an economic agroforestry buffer zone that will strengthen and utilise the existing tree border of KSNR protecting the Reserve from encroachment.
Land rights are being protected by helping farmers to survey and formally register their land tenure with Traditional Authorities and the Government of Ghana. OKO will work with the community to provide subsidised access and support utilising biochar-enhanced organic fertiliser and neem-based organic pesticide to incentivise the farmers to adhere to the community landscape regeneration plan. A partnership with Nsutaman Rural Bank will offer microfinance loan packages to farmers in the project area based upon the new income stream from the carbon credit sales.
60% of carbon credit revenue to the communities
Seedlings distributed to farmers with no upfront cost
From year 4 to 40 carbon payments
Mutually agreed seedling and organic fertiliser and pesticide inputs package which is subsidised is deducted from future carbon payments
Instant payments to their Nsutaman Bank linked mobile wallets
100% Smallholder farmers
2025 - 1,000 farmers
2030 - 15,000 farmers
Having our payments sent direct to my mobile wallet saves me a lot of time and energy and makes it easier for me to manage my money from my phone.
Timely payments to rural communities
Traceable payments across value chains
