2008 Challenge Grants - Education & Community Development
Project Dates: November 2008-October 2009
Countries: Ghana, Ecuador and Costa Rica
Funders: GTZ, U.S. Agency for International Development/ECHOES, Mars Inc. and the World Cocoa Foundation
Administrator: World Cocoa Foundation
Grantees: University of Cape Coast, Conservación y Desarrollo, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñaza (CATIE), and Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
Overview of Challenge Grants Program:
The World Cocoa Foundation Challenge Grants Program was developed in 2008 with the objectives of:
- Improving the quality of life for cocoa-farming families and the quality of their cocoaFostering linkages between universities, research institutes, and NGOs in cocoa-producing countries to further collaboration with cocoa farmers
- Introducing innovations that will make a long-term difference for cocoa-farming families and communities
Grants were open to research institutes, universities, farmer groups and NGOs from cocoa-producing countries. Grants in the education & community development category focus on improved training approaches and methods of disseminating information related to basic education, farmer training, sensitization on social issues, and farmer/community organization development. Overview of
Education & Community Development Grants Awarded:
In 2008, four challenge grants were awarded in the education & community development category:
- Development and Impact Assessment of an Extension-Based Method for the Transfer of Artificial Pollination Technology to Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana – University of Cape Coast (Ghana)Using Innovative Educational Exchanges to Increase Cocoa Production and Quality in Ecuador – Conservación y Desarrollo (Ecuador)The Reproductive Biology of Cocoa in the Hands of Small Farmers – CATIE (Costa Rica)
- Transfer of Improved Technology of Using Potash from Cocoa Pod Husks to Women and Women Groups in Ghana – Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana
Grant Profiles:
Project: Development and Impact Assessment of an Extension-Based Method for the Transfer of Artificial Pollination Technology to Smallholder Cocoa Farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Grantee: University of Cape Coast (Ghana)
Problem Addressed: Artificial pollination is known to be effective, but is often seen as too technical to teach to farmers.
Purpose: To develop a hands-on extension training methodology to train farmers in artificial pollination.
Results: A group of 31 pollinators were trained to conduct artificial pollination on experimental sites located near seed gardens. Although data is still be analyzed, it appears that the majority of pods set after artificial pollination survived to maturity. Follow-on funding was granted for 2010 to allow for a second season of the experiment and finalization of a training curriculum.
Project: Using Innovative Educational Exchanges to Increase Cocoa Production and Quality in Ecuador
Grantee: Conservación y Desarrollo (Ecuador)
Problem Addressed: Farmer organizations in different regions of Ecuador have much to learn from each other, but there are limited opportunities for this to occur.
Purpose: To develop educational tours through which farmers will visit other farmer organizations (including farm visits and collection centers), the national research institute (INIAP), an exporter in Guayaquil, and an artisanal chocolate maker in Quito.
Results: Three farmer groups participated in the tour where they visited each other, INIAP, two exporters, two artisanal chocolate makers, and one exporter association. Participants learned about quality, factors influencing price, and farm rehabilitation.
Project: The Reproductive Biology of Cocoa in the Hands of Small Farmers
Grantee: CATIE (Costa Rica)
Problem Addressed: Most farmers have not learned about the reproductive biology of cocoa thus making it difficult for them to understand the underlying reason behind some of the cultural practices taught in Farmer Field Schools.
Purpose: To develop a teaching module and materials (graphic manuals, radio episodes, and a video) about the reproductive biology of cocoa for use in Farmer Field Schools, as well as primary and secondary schools.
Results: A technical bulletin, graphic manual and video were completed in Spanish and English. These materials will be piloted with a group of approximately 2,500 farmers through Farmer Field Schools starting in July 2010. Piloting with primary school students will begin in 2011. Radio messages were developed in Spanish and English and are being translated into five local languages. Broadcast in Guatemala and Belize will take place in the second half of 2010. The manual, video and radio messages take the form of dialogues between farmers and other characters. Materials are available for adaption and use by programs in other countries.
Project: Transfer of Improved Technology of Using Potash from Cocoa Pod Husks to Women and Women Groups in Ghana
Grantee: Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG)
Problem Addressed: Soap making is a common activity among women in cocoa-growing communities. However, procedures and quality vary considerably. CRIG has developed a standardized method for producing quality soap.
Purpose: To develop a participatory training approach to teach CRIG’s standardized soap-making method.
Results: A manual and training approach were developed. A total of 683 people were trained to make potash and soap. An industrial heat shielded stove for producing on a commercial scale was designed and constructed at CRIG.