Cocoa cultivation is one of the most lucrative sources of income in Cameroon. Many farmers depend on the production of cocoa for their main source of income. The cultivation of cocoa occupies almost 37% of cultivable land in the country with a rapid increase in cultivation. But sustainability of cocoa production still remains a big issue as may peasant farmer still live in poverty despite the high demand for cocoa in the World Market. Cocoa is used in processing industries for the production of chocolate products which are high consumable worldwide as it contained much protein values. The United Nation considered cocoa to be one of the highest income generating cash crop in the world. It is paradoxical in the sense that most profit from cocoa business does not trickledown to the producers but remained within the multinational companies like Nestle’ and Cargill limited.
This study seeks to analyze the role of NGOs in the promotion of fair trade as a possible way to alleviate poverty among rural cocoa farmers by encouraging quality production, avoiding exploitation and maintaining a popper environmental management. For cocoa production to be sustainable, both the government and the private sector have to work together as no single structure alone can totally alleviate poverty. It is for this reason that civil societies are encourage by the World Bank and IMF as important organs for poverty alleviation. Then given the opportunities to NGOs to promote sustainable rural development is a significant way to growth.