Sustainable Cocoa Enterprise Solutions for Smallholders (SUCCESS) Alliance Ecuador
Project Dates: 2005-2008*
Country: Ecuador
Alliance: US Department of Agriculture, US Agency for International Development, the World Cocoa Foundation, Mars Incorporated, ACDI/VOCA and various local organizations
Implementer: ACDI/VOCA
Overview
SUCCESS Alliance Ecuador aims to improve farm productivity, increase access to improved planting material, and strengthen farmer organizations. The program provides technical assistance and training through the Farmer Field School methodology with an emphasis on planning, crop management, post harvest management, commercialization, and participation in farmer organizations. The program is active in the provinces of Guayas, Los Rios, Manabí and Esmeraldas.
Program Objectives:
- To train 21,000 farmers to increase quantity and improve quality of cocoa
- To renew and rehabilitate one million cocoa trees
- To strengthen existing and promote development of new farmer associations
Progress to Date:
- 18,132 farmers trained through Farmer Field Schools (as of June 2007). The Farmer Field School methodology is an interactive, hands-on approach to learning in which farmers determine topics to be covered with the guidance of a trained facilitator. 1,063 farmers participated in Field Days and 1,894 farmers attended Cocoa Fairs which complement the training and allow Farmer Field School graduates to demonstrate what they have learned. The final number of Farmer Field School graduates from the second 2007 training cycle (July to December) is anticipated to bring the cumulative total number of farmers trained to 21,710.
- 5,091,868 seedlings produced. The plants were produced at nurseries owned and operated by farmers and farmer associations. SUCCESS Alliance worked with Instituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP) to establish 16 clonal gardens to be managed by farmer associations. The gardens are operated by farmer associations to test 9 clones selected for high productivity and disease resistance. Each garden has 3 to 4 of these clones believed to be most suitable for local growing conditions.
- 1,428 farmers trained in association strengthening and Farming as a Business. The program provided training on association and cooperative principles, Farming as a Business, and marketing and business plan development to members of 15 associations and 53 farmer field school groups. A total of 47 farmer associations have obtained legal status as a result of the farmer field schools and through project support.
*In January 2008, the PL480 Corporation awarded funding to complement the current USDA Food for Progress funding. This will enable ACDI/VOCA to expand the results achieved by increasing productivity of cocoa farms through capacity building and training smallholder producers in association organization, quality, post harvest management and marketing. This funding works with 2,500 farmers and 32 farmer groups. Also in January 2008, the Transmar Commodity Group donated funding to ACDI/VOCA to continue cocoa activities in the four SUCCESS Alliance provinces and facilitate the creation of marketing links between cocoa producers and buyers. The program will work with cocoa producers that have already participated in Farmer Field Schools and Farming as a Business training.
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