World Cocoa Foundation Takes Science Into The Field; Provides Training For Farmers In Cocoa-Growing Regions
Everlasting Supply of Quality Chocolate Important to Industry
(McLean, VA - December 2000) - The American Cocoa Research Institute announced the creation of a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to providing in-field training and education for millions of cocoa farmers around the globe. The World Cocoa Foundation supports projects in cocoa-growing regions that help farmers grow healthy crops in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way.
For three years during the 1990s, the world consumed more cocoa than it produced, and consumer demand for chocolate is growing. According to data from Information Resources, Inc., chocolate candy sales have grown more than five percent during the past 52 weeks. While the current supply of chocolate means there is not an immediate concern for the production of chocolate candy and other products, the industry must act now to ensure the supply stays plentiful and healthy. Supporting the World Cocoa Foundation's goal to educate farmers on sustainable cocoa growing is the first step.
According to research conducted during the past 50 years by the American Cocoa Research Institute (the research arm of the Chocolate Manufacturers Association), sustainable cocoa farming is the best way to grow cocoa. It is similar to the traditional way the crop was grown -in the shade of towering hardwoods and other trees.
“A major benefit of farming cocoa in this manner,” said ACRI Vice President of Cocoa Research and Executive Director of the Foundation Bill Guyton, “is that farmers can use agricultural methods that integrate sound ecological, economic and cultural practices. The farmer maintains or increases his cocoa production each year by using efficient, low-cost methods that don't harm the rainforest environment. At the same time, sustainable growing allows the farmer to make a living, and perhaps even increase his family's standard of living.”
Current projects include assistance to small farmers in the Dominican Republic whose cocoa trees were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Georges as well as an extensive project in Indonesia to train farmers how to grow and produce quality cocoa by eradicating cocoa pod borer infestation through a low-cost, environmentally friendly approach.
The World Cocoa Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to improving the standard of living of cocoa farmers around the world by providing training on low cost methods to produce quality cocoa in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner. Funding for the Foundation is sought from various sources, with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture already contributing funding because they see the program as a tool to alleviate poverty in countries such as the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Funding also is being sought from confectionery and chocolate manufacturers and companies who rely on the confectionery industry for business. For more information, contact Bill Guyton by telephone at (703) 790-5011 or by e-mail at Bill Guyton.