In the afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to participate in one of three worskhops: "Farmer Support Models", "Fermentation Techniques and Benefits" and "Returns to Farmers, Industry and Environment from Agroforestry Investments".

 

Farmer Support Models Workshop: Representatives from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Oxfam Novib, Purdue University, Rainforest Alliance, and TransFair USA presented their respective models and described the benefits to farmers and their communities.  The discussion centered on the current global market to support different farmer assistance models and importance of always placing the farmer first.  The group also concluded that a key message for cocoa farmers around the world is the importance of growing other crops in addition to cocoa in order to minimize risks with any given commodity.

 

Fermentation Techniques and Benefits Workshop: Ferrero, Mars Inc., Barry Callebaut and Olam International Ltd. panelists addressed the basic fermentation concepts and explained how proper fermentation and roasting are key to developing cocoa flavor.  The session highlighted the complex biochemical reactions that take place during fermentation and illustrated the external and environmental factors that can affect the process.  The discussion then focused on the postive effects attributed to cocoa that contains hundreds of different components, many of which have potential health benefits. The impact of the production process on the amount of polyphenol in the final product was also discussed.  Lastly, the session looked at a variety of initiatives in West Africa and Southeast Asia aimed at improving post harvest handling practices.

 

Returns to Farmers, Industry and the Environment from Agroforestry Investments: Representatives from the World Agroforestry Centre, CATIE, and Forest & Landscape Denmark discussed opportunities and benefits of cocoa agroforesty and how such systems can diversify and increase farm income, making it less variable and resistant to external forces. Examples included a research study on the value of cocoa agroforestry in Southern Cameroon.  The group also gave an update on INAFORESTA activities analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating science and technology on the relationships between cocoa, trees, forests and the environment.